In a thrilling conclusion to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured the third-place finish with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Egypt’s Pharaohs at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.
The bronze medal match; a showdown between two of Africa’s most decorated footballing nations remained scoreless through regulation time, forcing the tie into a high-pressure penalty shootout. The Super Eagles prevailed 4–2 on penalties after a 0-0 stalemate in 120 minutes of football.
Neither side could find the breakthrough over the course of the match. Both Nigeria and Egypt created few clear-cut chances, as defences dominated and goalkeepers were rarely seriously tested in open play. After full time, the deadlock stood, sending the match into penalties where fine margins would decide the bronze medal.
In the shootout, Nigeria showed remarkable composure under pressure to edge past Egypt 4–2 on penalties with thanks to Nwabali. The Super Eagles’ spot-kick takers were clinical when it mattered most, converting their chances while Egypt were less consistent from the spot.
This win extends Nigeria’s impressive record in AFCON third-place playoffs. Before this match, the Super Eagles had won all seven previous bronze-medal games they contested, and this latest result brings their total to nine AFCON third-place finishes, the most by any nation in the competition’s history.
The AFCON stage has long been the backdrop for memorable clashes between Nigeria and Egypt, and this latest encounter added another chapter to their rivalry. Across all AFCON meetings, Nigeria hold a historical edge in head-to-head contests, and this win reinforces their dominance in third-place fixtures.