Nigeria beat Egypt on penalties to finish third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a goalless draw in Casablanca.
Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was the hero, saving penalties from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush in the shootout. Ademola Lookman then calmly scored the winning kick, despite distraction tactics from Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
The win ended Nigeria’s recent penalty struggles, after they lost shootouts to Morocco in the Afcon semi-finals and DR Congo in World Cup qualifying last November. Nigeria arguably deserved the victory, showing more attacking threat and having two goals ruled out during the match.
Paul Onuachu had a first-half goal disallowed after a VAR review for a foul, while Lookman saw a header ruled out for offside early in the second half.
The result keeps Nigeria’s perfect record in Afcon third-place play-offs intact, giving them their eighth win in such matches and another bronze medal to add to their history.
With Victor Osimhen unused, the outcome also boosts Morocco’s Brahim Diaz in the race for the golden boot. Senegal will face hosts Morocco in Sunday’s final in Rabat, with the winners set to claim their second Afcon title and $10m in prize money.
