Nigeria secured third place at the Africa Cup of Nations with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Egypt after a goalless draw in Casablanca. Ademola Lookman scored the decisive spot-kick, concluding a match where both teams made several changes to their starting lineups following semi-final defeats earlier in the week.
Nigeria secured third place at the Africa Cup of Nations with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Egypt after a goalless draw in Casablanca. Ademola Lookman scored the decisive spot-kick, concluding a match where both teams made several changes to their starting lineups following semi-final defeats earlier in the week.
The win provided a measure of redemption for the Super Eagles, who had recently suffered the disappointment of losing in two crucial penalty shootouts. Those defeats had cost them a place in the 2026 World Cup intercontinental playoffs and, just three days prior, a spot in the AFCON final against hosts Morocco.
The penalty sequence began poorly for Nigeria as Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed the team's first attempt. However, successful conversions from Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon, and Alex Iwobi steadied the side. Egyptian efforts from star forwards Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush were both saved by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, ultimately proving decisive.
The victory maintains Nigeria's perfect record in AFCON third-place playoffs, now having won all eight of their appearances in the match. The result contrasted with Egypt's consolation appearance, where captain Salah started but was unable to influence the scoreline during regular time or from the penalty spot.
The encounter saw few clear chances, with two Nigeria goals ruled out in regulation time. Paul Onuachu had a first-half header disallowed after a VAR review for an accidental elbow, and Lookman saw a second-half strike chalked off for offside. Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, making a rare start, was called into action several times after the interval.
The atmosphere at Stade Mohammed V was notably partisan, with the majority Moroccan crowd vocally supporting Nigeria. This was attributed to the longstanding sporting rivalry between Morocco and Egypt at both national and club levels. The backing did little to inspire an Egyptian breakthrough, and the match concluded without a goal, leaving the outcome to be determined from twelve yards.
