Nwabali the penalty king as Super Eagles down Egypt to clinch AFCON bronze

Stanley Nwabali emerged as Nigeria’s match-winner after saving two penalties to help the Super Eagles defeat Egypt and secure the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

After a tense, goalless 90 minutes in Casablanca, the third-place playoff was decided by penalties, where the Chippa United goalkeeper produced a heroic display. Nwabali denied Premier League stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, as Nigeria triumphed 4–2 in the shoot-out.

The victory brought relief for the Super Eagles, who had recently endured penalty heartbreaks — losing a World Cup play-off to the Democratic Republic of Congo last November and suffering another shoot-out defeat to hosts Morocco in the AFCON semi-final just three days earlier.

Nigeria maintained their flawless record in AFCON third-place matches, winning all eight play-off appearances in the competition’s history.

In the shoot-out, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria’s opening kick, but goals from Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi sealed the win. For Egypt, Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored, but Nwabali’s saves proved decisive.

Both teams made several changes from their semi-final defeats, with Egypt captain Salah starting while first-choice goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and Marmoush began on the bench. Nigeria also rested key attackers Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both former African Player of the Year winners.

A crowd of nearly 45,000 at the Stade Mohammed V largely backed Nigeria, with Moroccan fans whistling Egypt throughout the match — a reaction linked to the long-standing rivalry between the two North African nations.

The first half saw periods of dominance for both sides but no goals. Paul Onuachu thought he had opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 36th minute, but VAR ruled it out after he was judged to have fouled Hamdy Fathy, earning the striker a yellow card.

Lookman came on after the break and quickly found the net, only for his goal to be disallowed for offside. Nigeria pressed more in the second half, forcing Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into several saves.

Egypt struggled to create clear chances, with Salah largely subdued. Marmoush was introduced after the hour mark to add attacking spark, but Nigeria’s defence held firm. Late chances fell to both Adams and Marmoush, yet neither could convert.

With no breakthrough before full-time, the match went to penalties — where Nwabali delivered the decisive moment, capping a resilient Nigerian performance and securing a morale-boosting bronze medal for the Super Eagles.