The Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Pharaohs of Egypt went into the third-place match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on January 17, 2026, with a lot at stake. Both teams had just missed out on reaching the final and now had one last chance to finish their tournament on a high by claiming the bronze medal.
Nigeria, one of the continent’s most respected teams, came into this match determined to restore pride after failing to make the final. They had enjoyed a strong run through the tournament, winning all of their group games and performing well in the knockout rounds. However, their dream of lifting the AFCON trophy was ended in a heartbreaking semifinal against hosts Morocco, where the teams drew 0-0 through regular and extra time and Nigeria lost 4-2 in the ensuing penalty shootout.
That semifinal defeat was bitter for the Nigerian players, staff, and fans. The Super Eagles had looked like one of the strongest sides in the competition with five straight victories before that point, and many saw them as contenders for the title. After the loss, former Nigerian international Odion Ighalo urged the team not to give up, saying they still had a chance to make amends by winning the bronze medal and giving supporters something to celebrate.
Malaysia-born coach Eric Chelle and his squad prepared carefully for the bronze medal match. They named a starting XI featuring goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel, Igoh Ogbu, Semi Ajayi and Bruno Onyemaechi, with midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika and attackers Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu and Akor Adams.
Nigeria’s path to the third-place playoff had been impressive until the semifinal. They had finished top of Group C, beating Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda in all of their group games. After that they thumped Mozambique 4-0 in the Round of 16 and beat Algeria 2-0 in the quarterfinals. Across that run they showed their goal-scoring ability and defensive organization.
Egypt, meanwhile, arrived in the third-place match also determined to end their tournament with something positive. The Pharaohs, Africa’s most successful team in history with seven AFCON titles, had come close to reaching the final but were knocked out by Senegal in a tight 1-0 semi-final.
Under coach Hossam Hassan, Egypt had gone through the tournament unbeaten through the group stage. They had drawn with Angola, beaten Zimbabwe and South Africa, and produced a dramatic 3-2 quarterfinal victory over defending champions Côte d’Ivoire. That thrilling win showed Egypt’s resilience and attacking quality, even if they ultimately fell just short against Senegal.
The rivalry between Nigeria and Egypt is long and storied. Historically both teams have had many battles at the Africa Cup of Nations, with memorable matches stretching back decades. Their most recent competitive meeting before this game included friendly fixtures and competitive AFCON encounters that often carried importance for qualification and pride.
In the third-place fixture itself, the teams were evenly matched and cautious. Egypt and Nigeria battled for control of the midfield and tried to break through each other’s defenses throughout the 90 minutes. Despite a few chances for both sides, neither team managed to score in the normal period. Very few clear opportunities emerged for Nigeria’s attackers or Egypt’s forwards, and the game remained locked at 0-0 into extra time.
Nigeria had moments where they looked dangerous — for example, a goal by Ademola Lookman was ruled out for offside, and Akor Adams had given the Super Eagles the lead only for a later update to show it was disallowed. Both defenses stood strong and limited the quality of chances.
With the match still tied after extra time, the contest went to a penalty shootout to determine the third‐place finisher. Penalty shootouts are always dramatic affairs, and this one was no different. Both teams took their kicks under intense pressure, with each goal or miss carrying huge weight for national pride.
In the end, Nigeria prevailed in the shootout, winning the bronze medal and ensuring their trip to Morocco ended on a positive note. Their ability to keep composure in the penalty shootout — especially after the disappointment of losing the semifinal in similar fashion — was a testament to their mental strength and preparation.
For Egypt, the loss was a disappointment but did not take away from the progress shown during the tournament. Reaching the semifinal and competing strongly through most matches demonstrated that the Pharaohs still remain a force in African football. For Nigeria, the bronze finishes added to their strong historical record in third-place games, and they hoped that the experience would provide a platform for future success.
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