AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Edge Egypt on Penalties to Clinch Bronze

Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured Third place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after edging Egypt 4–2 on penalties in a tense playoff decided at the Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca, Global Mirror News reports.

The encounter ended goalless after regulation time, with both sides cancelling each other out in a tightly contested affair. The decisive moment came in the shootout, where goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali once again rose to the occasion, producing crucial saves to hand Nigeria the Bronze Medal.

Nwabali denied spot-kicks from Mohamed Salah and Oumar Marmoush, reaffirming his growing reputation as Nigeria’s penalty specialist and ensuring the Super Eagles maintained their flawless record in AFCON third-place matches.

The victory marked Nigeria’s ninth bronze-medal finish in the history of the tournament.

Interim coach Augustine Eguavoen opted for a rotated lineup, leaving key attackers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman on the bench at kickoff.

Nwabali started in goal behind a back four of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Igoh Ogbu, Semi Ajayi and Bruno Onyemaechi. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru partnered Raphael Onyedika in midfield, while captain Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze supported forwards Paul Onuachu and Akor Adams.

Nigeria started on the front foot and carved out the first clear chance in the 13th minute when Adams’ effort was deflected for a corner. The tempo soon dipped as both teams settled into a cautious rhythm, with defences largely on top.

Adams thought he had broken the deadlock in the 36th minute with a powerful header, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review that penalised Onuachu for an elbow in the build-up. The striker was subsequently booked.

The deadlock persisted after the interval. Lookman replaced Onuachu at the start of the second half and briefly thought he had scored, only for his effort to be chalked off for offside.

Alex Iwobi was later introduced as Nigeria searched for a breakthrough, but clear chances remained limited and the match drifted into penalties.

In the shootout, Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria’s opening kick, but Nwabali’s save from Salah immediately restored parity. Adams converted his attempt before Marmoush was also denied by the Nigerian goalkeeper. Simon and Iwobi then scored confidently, and although Mahmud Sabir pulled one back for Egypt, Lookman calmly slotted home the decisive penalty to seal the win.

Nigeria reached the playoff after a heartbreaking semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco on penalties, while Egypt had fallen 1–0 to Senegal in the last four.

The Super Eagles topped Group C with wins over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda, before overcoming Mozambique and Algeria in the knockout stages.

Egypt, seven-time champions, advanced from Group B and eliminated Benin and Ivory Coast prior to their semi-final exit.

Saturday’s victory provided consolation for Nigeria after narrowly missing out on the final and underscored the team’s enduring consistency on the continental stage, Global Mirror News concludes.