Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured third place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after edging Egypt 4–2 in a penalty shootout on Saturday.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerged as the standout performer, producing two decisive saves during the shootout, including denying Egyptian talisman Mohamed Salah. Ademola Lookman then stepped up to convert the winning kick, sealing the bronze medal and marking Nigeria’s ninth third-place finish in AFCON history.
The encounter itself was fiercely contested but short on clear-cut opportunities. Both teams matched each other physically, with long spells of intense pressing and limited attacking openings.
Nigeria briefly thought they had gone ahead just before the break when Paul Onuachu poked home from an Akor Adams effort, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR check.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with neither side able to find a breakthrough. The match ended goalless, forcing a penalty shootout to decide the outcome.
Although Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria’s opening spot-kick, Nwabali’s quick reactions — saving Egypt’s first two penalties — swung the momentum firmly in Nigeria’s favour.
Nigeria’s remaining takers made no mistake, allowing Lookman to calmly dispatch the final penalty and maintain the Super Eagles’ flawless record in AFCON third-place playoffs.
Attention now turns to Sunday’s final, where host nation Morocco will face Senegal for the AFCON 2025 title.
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