AFCON 2025 Third Place Match
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca

Nobody wanted to be here, and the football showed it.

Nigeria and Egypt produced 90 minutes of cautious, disjointed football before Nigeria won 4-2 on penalties to claim the bronze medal. Stanley Nwabali saved from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush in the shootout, and Ademola Lookman slotted home the decisive penalty to secure Nigeria’s record-extending ninth AFCON bronze medal.

It was a bittersweet ending to a tournament that promised so much for both sides. Nigeria dominated the group stage with 14 goals and five straight wins before falling to Morocco on penalties in the semifinals. Egypt chased their first title since 2010 but lost 1-0 to Senegal. Saturday’s third-place playoff was the consolation prize.

Both managers rotated heavily. Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman started on the bench for Nigeria. Egypt shuffled their attacking options, though Salah still featured. The result was a disjointed, low-quality affair.

The game’s most significant moment came in the 36th minute when Akor Adams thought he’d scored. Goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir parried the ball into Samuel Chukwueze’s path, and Chukwueze crossed back for Adams to head home via a deflection off Paul Onuachu. Nigeria celebrated. Then VAR intervened.

After an extended check, the goal was ruled out for an alleged elbow by Onuachu on Hamdy Fathy. Replays suggested Onuachu was completely oblivious to any contact, but the decision stood. Nigeria’s frustration was palpable.

Beyond that, clear chances were scarce. Salah was kept quiet by Nigeria’s defence. Stanley Nwabali claimed an early cross intended for Egypt’s captain, but the Pharaohs created little of substance. Nigeria showed more attacking intent than in their limp semifinal loss to Morocco, but without Osimhen and Lookman from the start, the cutting edge was missing.

Then came penalties. Again.

Nigeria won the toss and chose to shoot first. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s opening penalty was saved by Shobeir, handing Egypt the advantage.

But Stanley Nwabali had other plans. Egypt’s first penalty fell to Salah, their captain, their most reliable taker. Nwabali guessed right and saved. Then Omar Marmoush stepped up. Nwabali saved again.

Two consecutive saves from Nigeria’s goalkeeper completely shifted the momentum. Egypt’s Rami Rabia and Mahmoud Saber kept the Pharaohs alive from the spot, but Nigeria were clinical with their remaining penalties. Lookman stepped up to take Nigeria’s final penalty and calmly slotted it home.

Bronze secured. Nigeria’s perfect third-place record intact, nine attempts, nine wins.

For Nigeria, it’s a bittersweet ending. Eric Chelle’s side arrived in Morocco with ambitions far beyond third place. They’ll take positives, such as Lookman’s brilliance (7 goal involvements), Alex Iwobi’s midfield control, and Calvin Bassey’s dominance, but the penalty loss to Morocco will linger.

For Egypt, another near miss. Salah, who scored four goals at the tournament, couldn’t deliver when it mattered. Missing the decisive penalty will sting. The Pharaohs came chasing their first title since 2010 and leave with nothing.

Neither team wanted to be here. But Nigeria at least leave Morocco with bronze and a perfect third-place record. Egypt go home empty-handed, left to reflect on what might have been.

The final between Morocco and Senegal takes place on Sunday. For Nigeria and Egypt, AFCON 2025 is over.