Nigeria Claim Bronze at AFCON with Penalty Shootout Win Over Egypt

Nigeria secured the bronze medal at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco after defeating Egypt 4-2 on penalties in the third-place playoff at the Mohammed V Stadium.

The match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, with no extra time played before spot-kicks. Both sides, still reeling from semifinal defeats, struggled to break the deadlock. Nigeria had two goals ruled out by VAR—Paul Onuachu’s strike for an elbow infringement and Ademola Lookman’s effort for offside—while Egypt’s attacks were contained by a disciplined Super Eagles defense.

In the shootout, Nigeria missed their opening kick but quickly gained the edge as Egypt also faltered. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, already a standout in the semifinal against Morocco, produced heroic saves against Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, tilting the contest in Nigeria’s favor. The Super Eagles converted their next three penalties with composure, while Egypt managed only two successful efforts.

The final tally: Nigeria 4-2 Egypt.

This victory secures Nigeria a record-extending ninth AFCON bronze medal, maintaining their perfect record in third-place matches. Egypt, meanwhile, miss out on adding to their three previous bronzes.

The Super Eagles conclude their 2025 campaign on a high note after the heartbreak of a semifinal penalty shootout loss to hosts Morocco. The bronze medal underscores their resilience and highlights Nwabali’s exceptional form throughout the knockout stages.