The encounter, held at the iconic Stade Mohamed V on Saturday, 17 January 2026, lived up to the high expectations of a clash between two of Africa’s footballing giants. Both sides entered the match eager to finish their tournament campaign on a high note following heartbreaking semi-final exits — Egypt at the hands of Senegal and Nigeria at the hands of host nation Morocco.
From the opening whistle, it was clear that neither team wanted to concede early. The game was a cagey affair with strong defensive organisation and midfield battles dominating proceedings. Nigeria enjoyed greater possession at times and tested the Egyptian defence, but clear scoring opportunities were few and far between. Egypt, for their part, defended resolutely and looked to spring counter-attacks, though they too struggled to carve out meaningful chances in open play.
Nigeria thought they had broken the deadlock midway through the match when forward Paul Onuachu turned in a header off a cross from Akor Adams. However, the celebrations were short-lived as the goal was ruled out by VAR for a foul in the build-up. Later in the second half, substitute Ademola Lookman had a goal ruled offside, keeping the score level.
Despite spirited efforts from both sides, regulation time ended 0-0, meaning the match would be decided by penalties. Penalty shootouts have often played a dramatic role in deciding matches between these two teams, and this one was no different.
In the shootout, Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was the standout figure. The Chippa United shot-stopper produced two crucial saves, including stopping spot kicks from Egyptian stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, turning the tide in Nigeria’s favour. Nwabali’s performance under pressure earned him widespread praise and was central to Nigeria’s success.
For Nigeria, not all was perfect from the spot as Fisayo Dele-Bashiru saw his effort saved. But superb composure from Akor Adams, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi, and Ademola Lookman ensured Nigeria sealed the shootout convincingly. Lookman’s composed final penalty sealed the victory and confirmed Nigeria’s 4-2 shootout win.
With the win, the Super Eagles claimed their record-extending ninth AFCON third-place finish, further enhancing their legacy as one of Africa’s most consistently high-performing national teams. The victory also provided some consolation for Nigerians after missing out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, offering a proud moment for fans and players alike.
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