Nigeria Beat Egypt: Confirmed Third Place Victory

Nigeria Claims Bronze at 2025 AFCON After Penalty Shootout Victory Over Egypt

Casablanca, Morocco – Nigeria secured the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Egypt on Saturday, January 17th. The match, played in Casablanca, ended in a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes of regulation time, leading to the dramatic conclusion.

Despite a goalless first half that saw a goal from Akor Adams disallowed by VAR, clear-cut chances were scarce for both sides. The match proceeded directly to penalties following the stalemate.

Nigeria won the toss and elected to shoot first, but Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s initial attempt was saved by Egyptian goalkeeper Oufa Shobeir. However, the momentum swiftly shifted in Nigeria’s favor as goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made crucial back-to-back saves, denying Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.

While Rami Rabia and Mahmoud Saber managed to convert their penalties for Egypt, Nigeria responded with clinical precision. Akor Adams, Moses Simon, and Alex Iwobi all successfully converted, setting the stage for Ademola Lookman to seal the victory with the decisive penalty kick.

This win marks Nigeria’s ninth third-place finish in the men’s continental football tournament – a record unmatched by any other nation. Importantly, it extends Nigeria’s perfect record in AFCON third-place play-offs, maintaining an unblemished win streak in these matches throughout the tournament’s history.