Nigeria ended their Africa Cup of Nations campaign on a composed note in Casablanca, edging Egypt 4–2 on penalties after a scoreless contest in the third-place playoff.
After two recent heartbreaks from the spot — first in World Cup qualification and again in the AFCON semi-final — the Super Eagles finally reversed the narrative. Ademola Lookman delivered the decisive strike, sealing Nigeria’s seventh third-place triumph in tournament history.
The match itself was tense rather than spectacular. Both sides rotated heavily following semi-final defeats, with Egypt restoring Mohamed Salah to the starting lineup and Nigeria leaving Victor Osimhen on the bench. Chances were limited, and goals even more so.
Nigeria came closest before halftime when Paul Onuachu headed home, only for VAR to intervene after an infringement in the buildup. The second half brought greater urgency, especially after Lookman’s introduction, but again a marginal offside decision denied the breakthrough.
Egypt struggled to impose themselves despite late changes, and Salah found little space to influence proceedings. As the final whistle confirmed penalties, momentum clearly sat with Nigeria.
Stanley Nwabali proved decisive, saving efforts from Salah and Omar Marmoush. Though Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria’s opener, Moses Simon, Akor Adams and Alex Iwobi steadied the sequence before Lookman ended it with authority.
Beyond the result, the evening restored a measure of confidence to a Nigerian side bruised by recent setbacks. Bronze may not have been the ultimate prize, but after weeks of fine margins and narrow exits, it offered a fitting close — and a reminder that, when pressure peaks, this team still knows how to stand upright.
