Nigeria broke their penalty jinx by defeating Egypt in a nail-biting shootout to secure third place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, following a tense goalless draw. The standout performer was Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who made crucial saves against renowned players like Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, paving the way for Ademola Lookman to clinch victory after a series of psychological tactics employed by Egypt’s goalkeeper, Mostafa Shobeir.
The West African squad had experienced a heart-wrenching defeat just days earlier, losing to Morocco in the semi-finals during another penalty shootout. Additionally, their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup were extinguished in November by DR Congo, who also triumphed in a shootout. Thus, this latest win served as a much-needed morale boost for both the team and its fans.
Throughout the match, Nigeria showcased their attacking flair, demonstrating their offensive capabilities during the full 90 minutes in Casablanca. The Super Eagles were arguably deserving winners, having found the net twice, although both goals were disallowed—one for a foul ruled by the referee and the other for offside. Notably, nine minutes before halftime, a goal from Paul Onuachu was taken off the board after a VAR review determined he had committed a foul in the buildup.
In the second half, Lookman, who came on as a substitute, had a close-range header disallowed shortly after for offside, underscoring Nigeria’s struggle to penetrate a disciplined Egyptian defense.
This victory adds to Nigeria’s impressive record in third-place playoff matches at Afcon, marking their eighth win in such contests and reinforcing their history of excellence, including their bronze medal achievement in the 1976 tournament, which used a different format to determine the champion.
Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s star player, did not feature in the match, remaining an unused substitute. Despite this absence, the outcome enhances Brahim Diaz’s chances of winning the golden boot, as he currently leads with five goals—two ahead of his Atlas Lions teammate Ayoub El Kaabi and three more than Senegal’s prominent forwards, Sadio Mane and Pape Gueye.
Looking ahead, Senegal will face Morocco in the final in Rabat, with the stakes rising dramatically; the winners will secure their second continental title and a substantial prize of $10 million (£7.475 million), highlighting the competitive landscape of the tournament.
Both teams made several changes from their semi-final defeats—six for Egypt and five for Nigeria—which contributed to a fast-paced start. The match’s early excitement included Nwabali’s impressive save on Salah’s flicked shot, followed by a deflected effort from Salah at a sharp angle.
Even with a reputation for their attacking prowess, Nigeria faced challenges breaking through Egypt’s stout defense. In the closing minutes of regulation, Fathy of Egypt avoided a penalty for a noticeable shove on Adams, causing the Nigerian forward to misfire. The initial contact seemed to occur just outside the box, adding to Nigeria’s frustrations.
As the match progressed without a clear winner, Salah sent a late free kick from a promising position directly into the Nigerian wall, setting the stage for the inevitable shootout. The atmosphere among the largely pro-Nigeria crowd intensified as the game moved towards penalties.
Chukwueze, who had faced difficulties in the semi-finals with two penalties saved, was substituted just before the shootout, limiting his opportunities for redemption. The shootout began poorly for Nigeria when Shobeir saved Dele-Bashiru’s opening attempt, but Nwabali responded with critical saves against Salah’s effort and Marmoush’s spot-kick, shifting momentum towards Nigeria.
This result was another setback for Salah, who remains unable to secure an Afcon title after suffering heartbreak just days earlier against Sadio Mane in the semi-finals. The remainder of Nigeria’s penalty takers were flawless, culminating in Lookman scoring the decisive penalty. This solid performance allows Eric Chelle’s squad to return home with tangible achievements after their journey in Morocco, reflecting the enduring spirit and resilience that characterizes Nigerian football.
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