Super Eagles AFCON 2025: Nigeria vs Egypt Bronze Playoff After Morocco Penalty Heartbreak
Nigeria’s bid for a ninth AFCON final ended in heartbreak after a tense 0-0 draw over 120 minutes against Morocco in Rabat, followed by a 4-2 defeat in the penalty shootout.
Stanley Nwabali briefly gave Nigeria the edge with a save in the shootout, but misses from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi allowed the hosts to advance to the final.
The game itself was cagey, with few clear chances and both teams wary of making mistakes under intense pressure at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Morocco will now meet Senegal in Sunday’s final, while Nigeria must quickly regroup for the bronze-medal match.
Nigeria’s Route to the Last Four
Nigeria topped Group C, beating Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda to qualify unbeaten for the knockout stage.
The Super Eagles then crushed Mozambique 4-0 in the Round of 16 and defeated Algeria 2-0 in the quarter-final to reach the semi-finals.
Despite conceding in every group game, Nigeria have yet to concede in open play in the knockout rounds, highlighting a much-improved defensive structure.
Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have been central to the attack, with Osimhen ending a long wait for an AFCON goal in the group phase and Lookman delivering goals and assists.
Penalty Agony: Chukwueze Under the Microscope
In the semi-final shootout, Chukwueze’s nonchalant penalty take became the pivotal moment, swinging momentum back to Morocco after Nwabali’s earlier save had put Nigeria ahead.
The atmosphere in Rabat was ferocious, with a packed home crowd amplifying the pressure on Nigeria’s takers.
Nigeria’s recurring penalty problems have again been exposed, with just two successful shootout kicks in the semi-final and a wider pattern of struggles from the spot at major tournaments.
Third-Place Playoff: Nigeria vs Egypt
Nigeria will face Egypt in the AFCON 2025 third-place match on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, with kick-off set for 5PM local time.
Egypt dropped into the bronze match after losing 1-0 to Senegal in the other semi-final, decided by a late Sadio Mané strike.
Both Nigeria and Egypt have three knockout wins behind them and enough attacking talent to deliver an entertaining contest as they close out their tournaments.
Nigeria and Egypt already met in a pre-AFCON friendly in Cairo in December, adding another narrative layer to this rematch on Moroccan soil.
What to Expect
As things stand, bronze would still represent a strong AFCON 2025 showing for a Nigeria side that arrived as favourites and stayed unbeaten in open play through the semi-finals.
The blend of experienced names like Osimhen, Lookman, and other emerging performers around them keeps optimism alive ahead of AFCON 2027, even as penalty shootouts yet again indicate a clear weakness.
Name your Super Eagles AFCON 2025 MVP so far.
