AFCON 2025 Review: Super Eagles Break Penalty Curse to Defeat Egypt

Posted : 18 January 2026

The Super Eagles of Nigeria ended their long-standing penalty shootout hoodoo to secure third place and bronze medals at the 35th Africa Cup of Nations, edging Egypt 4–2 on penalties at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca on Saturday.

Heading into the encounter, Nigeria had never lost a third-place match at the Africa Cup of Nations and had, coincidentally, won their first bronze by defeating Egypt 3–2 in Addis Ababa 50 years ago. The latest victory extended Nigeria’s record to nine AFCON bronze medals, while Egypt remain on six.

As is customary in many third-place matches, both sides fielded weakened teams following the disappointment of semi-final defeats. Egypt were without the suspended Marwan Attia and Salah Mohsen, while Nigeria were missing influential centre-back Calvin Bassey. Coach Eric Chelle also left out captain Wilfred Ndidi, who is recovering from injury, as well as assistant captain Victor Osimhen, with Alex Iwobi starting on the bench.

In the absence of several senior players, Moses Simon led by example and caused constant problems for the Egyptian defence. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was alert early on, reading Mahmoud Hassan’s cross in the second minute, while Egypt came closest in the first half through Liverpool star Mohamed Salah in the 27th minute.

Nigeria created several opportunities before the break through Simon and Samuel Chukwueze. Akor Adams appeared to have given the Super Eagles the lead in the 36th minute with a well-placed header from Chukwueze’s cross, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Substitute Ademola Lookman also had a goal disallowed just two minutes into the second half, but Nigeria maintained their attacking intent. Long-range efforts from Raphael Onyedika and Simon were saved early in the second period, while Egypt struggled to break down a resolute Nigerian back line of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Igoh Ogbu and Bruno Onyemaechi, despite Salah’s attempts to inspire a response.

The match eventually went to penalties, where Nwabali emerged as the hero. The Nigerian goalkeeper saved Egypt’s first two spot-kicks from Salah and Omar Marmoush. Although Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria’s opening effort, Akor Adams, Simon, Iwobi and Lookman all converted confidently to seal a 4–2 shootout victory.

Nwabali’s decisive saves earned him the Man of the Match award, capping a memorable night for the Super Eagles as they finished AFCON 2025 on the podium.

AFCON 2025 Review: Super Eagles Break Penalty Curse to Defeat Egypt

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