The Super Eagles claimed third place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Egypt via a penalty shootout at Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca, on Saturday night.
Stanley Nwabali emerged as the decisive figure, producing two crucial saves in the shootout to ensure Nigeria finished the tournament with a bronze medal.
Despite rotating his squad, Eric Chelle set Nigeria up aggressively and the Super Eagles started on the front foot.
Egypt, however, matched the intensity with a high press and created the first clear opening in the 28th minute, forcing Nwabali into a close-range save to deny Mohamed Salah.
Nigeria thought they had taken the lead six minutes before the break when Akor Adams found the net, but VAR intervened. The goal was disallowed after Paul Onuachu was penalised for an accidental elbow on Hamdy Fathy in the build-up.
VAR frustrations and missed chances persist
Chelle introduced Ademola Lookman at half-time in search of a breakthrough, and the substitution almost paid immediate dividends.
Further changes followed, with Alex Iwobi replacing the injured Bright Osayi-Samuel in the 65th minute. Nigeria appealed strongly for a penalty late on after Adams went down under pressure, but VAR again ruled against the Super Eagles.
Nigeria pushed until the end, coming closest in the 85th minute when Lookman fired a dangerous low cross across goal, but no attacker could apply the finish.
Nwabali seals bronze in shootout
With neither side able to break the deadlock in regulation time, the match was decided from the penalty spot. Nwabali underlined his tournament credentials by saving the opening spot-kicks from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.
Ademola Lookman then stepped up and converted calmly, sealing a 2-0 shootout win and confirming Nigeria’s bronze-medal finish, a result that ensured the Super Eagles closed their AFCON 2025 campaign on a positive and credible note.
