Nigeria’s Super Eagles dug deep under the Casablanca night sky to edge past old foes Egypt and claim the bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations, sealing a hard-fought victory that spoke volumes about character, composure, and resilience.
At the iconic Stade Mohammed V on January 17, 2026, the third-place playoff carried more than medals at stake. It was a battle for pride and legacy between two African heavyweights, both eager to end their AFCON 2025 campaign on a high note. From kickoff, the contest crackled with intensity, neither side willing to blink.
Egypt, marshalled by talisman Mohamed Salah, pushed forward with purpose, probing Nigeria’s backline for openings. Yet the Super Eagles stood firm, organised and unyielding, repelling wave after wave of pressure. At the other end, Nigeria showed flashes of attacking intent, with Akor Adams coming close on a couple of occasions, only for VAR to rule out crucial moments and keep the scoreline locked.
As the minutes drained away, the tension thickened. Clear chances were rare, tackles were fierce, and every pass carried weight. When the final whistle blew at the end of regulation time with the scoreboard still reading 0–0, the clash drifted inevitably toward the lottery of penalties.
That was when Stanley Nwabali rose to the moment.
The Nigerian goalkeeper exuded calm as the shootout began, reading Egypt’s intentions with uncanny precision. His save from Salah’s opening kick sucked the air out of the Pharaohs’ camp, and when he denied Omar Marmoush soon after, the momentum swung decisively Nigeria’s way.
With the pressure mounting, the Super Eagles showed ice-cold nerve. Akor Adams, Moses Simon, and Alex Iwobi dispatched their penalties with confidence, setting the stage for Ademola Lookman. The winger made no mistake, rifling home the decisive kick to secure a 4–2 shootout win and spark wild celebrations among players and fans alike.
The triumph carried historic weight. It marked Nigeria’s ninth AFCON bronze medal, extending their flawless record in third-place matches and reinforcing their reputation as one of the continent’s most resilient footballing nations.
After the pain of a semifinal exit, the bronze medal felt like redemption. While the spotlight would soon shift to the final showdown between Senegal and hosts Morocco, the Super Eagles had already delivered their message — Nigeria may stumble, but they never stay down.
