Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali emerged the defining figure as Nigeria secured the bronze medal at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, defeating Egypt 4–2 on penalties after a goalless third-place play-off at the Stade Mohammed V, on Saturday.
With CAF regulations mandating penalties after 90 minutes, the contest went straight to a shootout following a tightly contested encounter.
Nigeria held their nerve, with Nwabali producing two important saves to seal yet another podium finish for the Super Eagles.
Nwabali The Hero in Shootout Drama
The shootout belonged to Nwabali. After Nigeria’s opener from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was saved by Egypt goalkeeper Ouba Shobeir, the Super Eagles appeared momentarily on the back foot.
Nwabali, however, swung the momentum emphatically. The Chippa United goalkeeper denied Egypt captain Mohamed Salah before brilliantly stopping Omar Marmoush’s effort, placing Nigeria firmly in control.
Coolly converted penalties from Akor Adams, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman completed the job, confirming Nigeria’s bronze medal finish and sparking celebrations among the Nigerian contingent in Casablanca.
Few Chances in Tense Regulation Time
The match itself was evenly balanced, with both sides cancelling each other out across midfield and limiting clear opportunities.
Egypt carved out the first real opening when Salah threaded a precise through ball to Mahmoud Trezeguet Hassan, but Nwabali reacted sharply to smother the danger.
Salah later went close twice in quick succession, first seeing a deft flick from Mohamed Hany’s cross blocked by Nwabali, before Semi Ajayi diverted the rebound behind for a corner.
Nigeria thought they had taken the lead 10 minutes before half-time when Akor Adams headed home from close range, but VAR ruled the goal out, with Paul Onuachu penalised for a foul on Hamdi Fathy in the build-up.
Nigeria Press, but Breakthrough Eludes Them
The Super Eagles had another effort chalked off seconds into the second half as Ademola Lookman, introduced at the break, was flagged offside before finishing clinically.
Eric Chelle’s side continued to probe with patience. Raphael Onyedika and stand-in captain Moses Simon both tried their luck from range, but Shobeir dealt comfortably with the attempts.
With neither side able to find a breakthrough after 90 minutes, penalties were required, and once again, Nigeria proved supreme from the spot.
Nigeria’s Unmatched Bronze-Medal Legacy
Saturday’s victory further strengthened Nigeria’s unique legacy in AFCON history. The Super Eagles have now won all eight third-place matches they have contested at the tournament.
This flawless record is unmatched by any nation.
The win also increased Nigeria’s total bronze-medal haul to nine, extending their lead over continental rivals.
From narrow successes in 2002 and 2006, to decisive wins in 2010 and 2019, and now another shootout triumph in 2025, Nigeria have consistently found a way to finish AFCON tournaments on the podium.
Ending Morocco 2025 with silverware offers tangible reward for a strong campaign that saw Nigeria reach the semi-finals with the competition’s most potent attack, before narrowly losing to hosts Morocco on penalties.
Egypt Fall Short Again
Egypt, who arrived with their own respectable third-place history, were unable to disrupt Nigeria’s dominance in the bronze-medal fixture.
Despite another composed tournament run, the Pharaohs were edged out in a shootout that highlighted Nigeria’s composure in high-pressure moments.
Their wait for another AFCON bronze medal continues, with their last third-place appearance coming more than four decades ago.
As attention now shifts to Sunday’s final between Morocco and Senegal, Nigeria once again depart the Africa Cup of Nations with history intact as Africa’s undisputed kings of the bronze-medal match.
AFCON Third-Place Play-Off Results (Selected)
- 2002: Mali 0–1 Nigeria
- 2004: Mali 1–2 Nigeria
- 2006: Nigeria 1–0 Senegal
- 2010: Algeria 0–1 Nigeria
- 2019: Nigeria 1–0 Tunisia
- 2025: Egypt 0–0 Nigeria (Nigeria won 4–2 on penalties)
(Nigeria have won all eight third-place matches they have contested at AFCON finals.)
