In a night of nerve-shredding drama and heroic heroics, Nigeria’s Super Eagles edged the Mohammed Salah-led Pharaohs of Egypt to claim the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. After 90 minutes of cagey, goalless football at the packed Stade Mohammed V, the battle was decided from the penalty spot — and the Eagles soared when it mattered most.
The gruelling contest saw both sides cancel each other out in regulation time, with Nigeria twice denied — first when Paul Onuachu’s lively effort was chalked off for a foul in the build-up, and later when substitute Ademola Lookman’s strike was ruled out for offside. Despite dominating phases of the game, the Super Eagles were left to settle for a shootout after a stalemate that saw few clear chances.
But in the penalty drama that followed, it was Stanley Nwabali — the Chippa United goalkeeper — who became the evening’s unstoppable force. The custodian pulled off two massive saves to deny Egypt’s biggest stars, including Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, stunning the Pharaohs and silencing their fans.
With cool heads from the spot, Nigeria held their composure. Akor Adams, Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi found the net, and when Ademola Lookman calmly slotted home the decisive penalty, the Super Eagles erupted — securing a 4–2 shootout victory and clinching a record-extending ninth AFCON third-place finish.
For Egypt, the anguish will linger. The Pharaohs’ golden hopes of bronze evaporated as Salah — ordinarily a talisman — saw his penalty brilliantly kept out by Nwabali, continuing a frustrating outing on the continent’s grand stage.
Nigeria’s triumph not only underscores their resilience — bouncing back after a heart-breaking semi-final penalty defeat to hosts Morocco — but also cements their place among Africa’s most consistent performers in AFCON history.
SUPER EAGLES 0 (4) — PHARAOHS 0 (2)
Nigeria are bronze medalists at AFCON 2025!
