Nigeria extended their perfect record in the Africa Cup of Nations third place play-off, defeating Egypt 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a goalless 90 minutes at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca on Saturday.
The Super Eagles have now won all eight of their appearances in the bronze medal match at the continental showpiece.
Despite a strong tournament, Mohamed Salah and his side will head home empty handed.
Ademola Lookman makes no mistake ⚡⚽
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 17, 2026
The Super Eagles will bring home the bronze medal from the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 🇳🇬🥉#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/t3fcmYJdCO
Nigeria were without five key players in their starting XI as Calvin Bassey was suspended, Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Osimhen did not feature and Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman came off the bench.
Egypt made a change in goal and Manchester City star Omar Marmoush started on the bench.
Egypt created the first attacking threat. Trézéguet crossed the ball into the area in the second minute but Stanley Nwabali intercepted the ball before it could reach its intended target, averting the danger.
Mohamed Salah sent a well-weighted ball forward for Trézéguet in the 17th minute, forcing Nwabali to rush off his line
Salah continued to create chances, playing Zizo into the Nigerian box in the 24th minute.
Zizo attempted to cut the ball back for Trézéguet at the byline, but his pass was sent behind for a corner by the Nigerian defence.
Salah had a chance of his own at goal in the 27th minute. Mohamed Hany’s cross looking for the Liverpool winger at the near post was bobbled by Nwabali to give Salah another chance, which was blocked by Semi Ajayi.
Nigeria were denied the opening goal in the 39th minute after a quick VAR check. Paul Onuachu received a yellow card for elbowing his defender in the box in the build up to Akor Adams’ header, albeit unintentionally.
DEADLOCKED
Nigeria had a second goal disallowed in the first minute of the second half. Adams did not time his run correctly to receive Samuel Chukwueze’s ball, rendering him offside and substitute Ademola Lookman’s second-chance strike was discounted.
In the 50th minute, Raphael Onyedika’s long-range effort took a bounce, but could not get past Shobeir.
Bright Osayi-Samuel did well to track back and deny Egypt the ball at the Nigerian byline in the 62nd minute. However, it came at a cost as he was forced off the field due to injury, replaced by Akex Iwobi.
Nigeria were denied a penalty in the 79th minute as Adams was shoved off the ball by Hamdy Fathy in the Pharaohs box.
At the other end, substitute Omar Marmoush could not capitalise on Salah’s through ball in the 80th minute as Ajayi used his physicality to take the Manchester City attacker off the ball.
Egypt were handed a last shot at goal from a freekick in the 88th minute but Salah’s attempt was fired straight into the wall.
The third-place playoff ended goalless after 90 minutes for the third time in 33 occasions at AFCON, going straight to a penalty shootout without extra-time.
Nwabali proved to be the hero of the day, saving two penalties to put the Super Eagles in the driving seat.
Salah ❌
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 17, 2026
Marmoush ❌
Stanley Nwabali stops some of the Premier League's finest in the shootout 🤚⛔#SSFootball | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/RAfO4OO5q1
Substitute Adomola Lookman slotted Nigeria’s fifth and final penalty to put his side on the podium, claiming the bronze medal.
The Super Eagles claim the bronze medal 🇳🇬🥉#SSFootball | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/N137UWPqI0
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 17, 2026
The tournament will conclude on Sunday with host Morocco looking to best Senegal on home soil at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat to lift the title for the first time since 1976.
Egypt 0
Nigeria 0
Nigeria won 4-2 on penalties
Egypt: O. Shobeir, M. Hany, R. Rabia, H. Fathy, K. Sobhi, M. Lasheen, Zizo (O. Marmoush 61’), M. Salah, E. Ashour, Trézéguet (M. Saber 61’), M. Mohamed (I. Adel 71’)
Nigeria: S. Nwabali, B. Onyemaechi, I. Ogbu, S. Ajayi (C. Awaziem 90+3’), B. Osayi-Samuel (A. Iwobi 65’), F. Dele-Bashiru, R. Onyedika, S. Chukwueze (C. Ejuke 90+1’), M. Simon, P. Onuachu (A. Lookman 46’), A. Adams