In a gritty, weather-drenched encounter in Casablanca, Nigeria clinched third place at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Egypt after a stalemate in regulation time. The match, hosted at Stade Mohammed V before a pro-Nigerian crowd, ended scoreless after 90 minutes, but the Super Eagles prevailed from the spot thanks to decisive saves by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and the composure of Ademola Lookman.
Redemption After Recent Heartbreaks
The victory offered Nigeria a sliver of redemption following two recent high-profile penalty shootout defeats — first against DR Congo in a World Cup play-off and more recently against Morocco in the AFCON semi-final. Saturday’s result extends Nigeria’s spotless track record in AFCON third-place matches to eight out of eight.
Tactical Shifts and Squad Rotations
Both sides entered the playoff with shuffled lineups following bruising semi-final losses. Egypt made six changes, giving rest to key figures like Mohamed El Shenawy and Omar Marmoush. Nigeria rotated five, benching star forwards Victor Osimhen and Lookman at the outset.
The first half saw both teams share momentum, though chances were few. Paul Onuachu briefly thought he had given Nigeria the lead with a header, only for VAR to intervene — citing an elbow on Hamdy Fathy and issuing a yellow card.
Lookman’s Arrival and Offensive Spark
Coach Eric Chelle introduced Lookman after the break, immediately injecting urgency. The Atalanta winger found the net within a minute, but his effort was flagged for offside. From that point, Nigeria pressed higher and forced Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action repeatedly.
Egypt, meanwhile, offered little attacking threat despite Mohamed Salah’s presence. The Liverpool star was mostly neutralized and failed to influence the game meaningfully, his most promising moment squandered with a meek free kick into the Nigerian wall.
Shootout Drama: Nwabali Stands Tall
The match inevitably progressed to penalties, where Egypt’s frailties resurfaced. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria’s first attempt, but Adams, Moses Simon, and Iwobi scored confidently. Egypt’s Salah and Marmoush, however, were denied by Nwabali in quick succession — sealing the Pharaohs’ fate. Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber’s successful conversions weren’t enough to turn the tide.
Lookman, brought on as a second-half sub, delivered the final blow with calm precision, sending the Nigerian bench into celebration and the Egyptian contingent into silence.
Final Thoughts
While the bronze medal is no substitute for a title, Nigeria’s resilience in the face of recent disappointments underscores the squad’s maturity and squad depth. With a talented generation maturing and tactical consistency under Chelle, the Super Eagles head toward the next World Cup cycle with renewed confidence. For Egypt, the result caps a turbulent campaign, and questions now hover over Salah’s long-term influence and Hossam Hassan’s leadership.
