Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerged the hero on Sunday as the Super Eagles defeated Egypt 4–2 on penalties to claim the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Casablanca.
The third-place match ended goalless after 90 minutes, forcing a penalty shoot-out in which the Chippa United shot-stopper saved efforts from Premier League stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush to secure victory for Nigeria.
The triumph brought relief for the Super Eagles, who had endured recent shoot-out heartbreaks. Nigeria lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo last November in a play-off for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup intercontinental play-offs, and again suffered shoot-out disappointment three days earlier against hosts Morocco in the AFCON semi-final.
The win also preserved Nigeria’s perfect record in AFCON third-place play-offs, marking their eighth victory in as many appearances.
In the shoot-out, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria’s opening kick before Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman all converted. For Egypt, Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored, but misses from Salah and Marmoush proved decisive.
Both teams rang the changes following their semi-final defeats, with Egypt making six alterations and Nigeria five. Salah captained the Pharaohs, while first-choice goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and Marmoush started on the bench. For Nigeria, attackers Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both former African Players of the Year, were initially left out of the starting line-up.
Despite Morocco not being involved, most of the nearly 45,000 spectators at the Stade Mohammed V backed Nigeria, loudly booing Egypt and their coach Hossam Hassan. The support was widely attributed to the longstanding rivalry between Morocco and Egypt at both national and club levels.
The opening half was evenly contested, with Nigeria enjoying early dominance before Egypt grew into the game. Paul Onuachu thought he had given the Super Eagles the lead in the 36th minute, heading home from close range, but a VAR review ruled the goal out for an accidental elbow on Hamdy Fathy. Onuachu was booked and the score remained level.
Coach Eric Chelle introduced Lookman at the start of the second half, and the winger found the net within a minute, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. Nigeria pressed with greater urgency after the break, forcing Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into several saves.
Salah was largely subdued and struggled to influence the game, while Marmoush was introduced after the hour mark in an attempt to inject attacking spark into Egypt’s play. Osimhen, however, remained on the bench throughout, suggesting he was not fully fit.
Late chances fell to Adams for Nigeria and Marmoush for Egypt, but neither side could find the decisive touch. Salah also wasted a promising free-kick opportunity, striking the ball into the defensive wall.
With no breakthrough in regulation time, the contest was settled from the spot, where Nwabali’s composure and reflexes ensured Nigeria ended their AFCON campaign on a winning note.
