Man of the Match Stanley Nwabali delivered a heroic performance between the posts as Super Eagles defeated Egypt 4–2 on penalties to secure the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Casablanca.
The Chippa United goalkeeper was the standout performer on the night, saving two crucial spot-kicks in the shootout after the third-place playoff ended goalless in regulation time. Nwabali denied Egyptian stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, sealing victory for Nigeria and earning widespread acclaim.
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Speaking after the match, the Super Eagles’ shot-stopper revealed that stopping Egypt’s key men was no coincidence.
“Saving Mohammed Salah and Marmoush’s penalty was my target and I did,” Nwabali said. “The aim was to help my teammates.”
Both sides struggled to break the deadlock over 90 minutes in a tense encounter, with chances few and far between. Egypt dominated possession in spells, while Nigeria remained compact and disciplined, forcing the game into penalties.
In the shootout, Nwabali rose to the occasion, producing two decisive saves as Nigeria converted four of their kicks to Egypt’s two.
The victory was particularly significant for the Super Eagles, coming after the heartbreak of previous penalty shootout defeats that cost them a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the chance to lift the AFCON trophy earlier in the tournament.
