Stanley Nwabali once again proved to be Nigeria’s savior as the Super Eagles secured third place at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, defeating Egypt 4–2 on penalties after a goalless 0–0 draw in regulation time at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
The victory ensured Nigeria claimed their ninth AFCON third-place finish, reinforcing their reputation as the “Kings of Bronze.”
The third-place clash was a tense and tactical affair, shaped by the physical and emotional toll of the semi-final exits. Nigerian coach Eric Chelle, seeking to cement his position for the future, made several key rotations, but the Super Eagles consistently carried the sharper attacking threat.
Nigeria twice thought they had broken the deadlock, only for VAR to intervene:
36th Minute: Paul Onuachu powered a header into the back of the net, but it was ruled out for a marginal offside after a lengthy review.
47th Minute: Seconds into the second half, substitute Ademola Lookman found the net with a clinical finish, but the offside flag struck again, leaving the Nigerian bench in disbelief.
Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, were dangerous throughout, creating 12 chances, but each was met by a superb performance from Stanley Nwabali.
The goalkeeper’s reflexes and composure, including a brilliant point-blank save in the first half, kept the Pharaohs at bay and maintained the stalemate.
With no extra time in the third-place playoff, the match went straight to penalties. The shootout began with shocks: Fisayo Dele-Bashiru had his effort saved, while Mohamed Salah fired wide under pressure.
Moses Simon and Ramy Rabia converted for their sides, but after Egypt missed their second kick, Ademola Lookman stepped up confidently to fire home the winning penalty, sparking wild celebrations among the Nigerian supporters.
The Super Eagles’ perfect record in AFCON third-place matches now stands at 9/9, a testament to their consistency in securing a podium finish.
Nwabali’s heroics and Lookman’s composure under pressure were the standout stories, ensuring Nigeria leaves Morocco with pride and optimism for the future.
