The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured third place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, defeating Egypt 4–2 on penalties at the Mohammed V Stadium in Morocco to claim the bronze medal.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerged as the hero as Nigeria concluded their AFCON 2025 campaign with a dramatic penalty shootout victory in the third-place playoff.
The encounter ended goalless after 90 minutes, with both sides cancelling each other out in a tense and closely contested match. With no breakthrough in regulation time, the contest was decided from the penalty spot.
Nigeria prevailed 4–2 in the shootout, thanks largely to Nwabali, who saved two Egyptian spot kicks. His decisive interventions allowed the Super Eagles to hold their nerve and secure victory.
The result preserved Nigeria’s impressive record in AFCON third-place playoffs, as they remain unbeaten in the fixture and recorded their ninth podium finish at the tournament. For Egypt, however, it marked a fourth consecutive defeat in the third-place match, consigning them to another fourth-place finish.
The win offered some consolation for Nigeria after their painful semi-final exit, where they were eliminated by hosts Morocco on penalties following another tightly contested encounter. This time, the Super Eagles showed composure and resilience when it mattered most.
Nigeria’s victory ensured they ended the tournament on a high, leaving Morocco with the bronze medal to cap their AFCON 2025 campaign.
