AFCON 2025: Nigeria takes third place after 4-2 shoot-out win against Egypt

Ademola Lookman converted the penalty that gave Nigeria a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Egypt after a 0-0 draw in the Africa Cup of Nations third-place play-off on Saturday.

The victory for the Super Eagles in Casablanca followed the disappointment of losing shootouts that cost them chances to compete at the 2026 World Cup and in the 2025 AFCON finals.

Nigeria lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo in a play-off last November for a place in the World Cup intercontinental play-offs.

It then lost another shootout three days ago and failed against hosts Morocco in an AFCON semi-final.

Success maintained a perfect Nigerian record in third-place AFCON matches after seven previous play-off wins.

Before Lookman scored, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed the Eagles’ first kick, after which Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi scored.

Premier League duo Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both had kicks saved by Stanley Nwabali before Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored.

Egypt made six changes and Nigeria five to the teams that started three days ago with semi-final losses to Senegal and hosts Morocco respectively.

Captain Salah started for the Pharaohs, while traditional first choices in goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and forward Marmoush were among the substitutes.

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Strikers Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both former winners of the annual African Player of the Year award, were on the bench for Nigeria.

Most Moroccans in a crowd that nearly filled the 45,000-capacity Stade Mohammed V supported Nigeria. They whistled when Egypt gained possession and when coach Hossam Hassan was on the big screen.

This support for the Super Eagles was attributed to the great rivalry between Morocco and Egypt, both at national team and club level.

Goals disallowed

Initially, Nigeria, then Egypt, enjoyed dominance in a goalless opening half on a cold, cloudy evening in the Moroccan commercial capital.

Paul Onuachu thought he had broken the deadlock after 36 minutes when he deflected the ball past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir with his head.

However, a VAR review by the Moroccan referee found that Onuachu had accidentally elbowed Hamdy Fathy. The goal was disallowed and the Nigerian received a yellow card.

Lookman was introduced for the second half by coach Eric Chelle, replacing Onuachu, and he had the ball in the net in the opening minute of the second period. However, the goal was disallowed for offside.

Nigeria started with a series of attacks after the break. After a largely quiet first half, Shobeir – the son of former Egyptian goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir – was forced to make several saves.

Salah rarely threatened, and when he did intervene with the ball, the potential danger was quickly averted. Marmoush came into action as the play-off passed the hour mark, trying to increase a blunt force.

But as the match entered its final ten minutes there was no sign of Osimhen being used, suggesting he may not have been fully fit.

In quick succession, Adams and then Marmoush threatened to score, but under pressure from the opponent neither could deliver the finishing touch.

Salah disappointed with his efforts when he had a scoring opportunity from a free kick outside the penalty area. He hit the ball straight into the wall and it was quickly cleared.

Published on January 18, 2026