Nigeria finished their AFCON 2025 journey with something to show for the grind. On January 17, 2026, the Super Eagles edged Egypt in a nerve-shredding third-place playoff, winning 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw. It was a night for steel hearts and steady hands — and Stanley Nwabali had both.

The Nigeria goalkeeper saved Egypt’s first two spot-kicks from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, tilting the shootout early. From there, Ademola Lookman stepped up to hit the decisive penalty, sealing the bronze medal and a proud finish to a demanding tournament.

Penalty drama: Nwabali turns the tide

In any shootout, the first saves change everything. Nwabali read Salah’s opener, got down with conviction, and set the tone. Moments later, he repeated the trick against Marmoush. Two early denials against elite takers don’t just stop goals — they plant doubt. Egypt never fully recovered.

For Nigeria, that belief grew with each kick. A 4-2 shootout win rarely looks simple from the outside, but it often follows one big theme: the goalkeeper who moves first and best. On this day, it was Nwabali. His composure under pressure became the difference between a long winter and a medal around the neck.

“Nwabali just wrote his name into AFCON folklore.”

AFCON 2025 third-place playoff: A game on a knife-edge

Across regular time, the match was tight and tense. Both teams respected the stakes and the opponent. Nigeria looked organized, Egypt were patient, and chances were scarce. In knockout football, this happens. Caution wins arguments. Small details decide the day.

As the minutes ticked by, it felt more and more like a duel of discipline. No goals, few mistakes, and a growing sense that penalties would call the winner. When the whistle sounded at 0-0, both benches knew the margins had shrunk to inches.

Lookman’s cool finish seals the bronze

Ademola Lookman took the decisive kick with striking calm. No fuss, no frills — just a clean strike to end it. For the Super Eagles, his conversion was more than a single moment. It was the payoff for 90 minutes of control and a shootout built on belief.

Lookman has become a key voice in this Nigeria side. A reliable finisher and a steady presence in big moments, he delivered again when the spotlight was brightest. Bronze is not the ultimate prize, but it is a statement of standards and resilience.

“Salah blinked, Nigeria didn’t — this is a statement for 2026.”

Why this bronze matters for Nigeria

Third place is often called a consolation. But for a team like Nigeria, it is also a platform. It shows depth, unity, and the ability to reset after a setback. The Super Eagles managed the moments, trusted their keeper, and leaned on leaders like Lookman.

That mix — structure, star power, and nerve — is what carries teams deep into tournaments. Earning a medal underscores that Nigeria were among the best across AFCON 2025. It gives fans pride today and the team a base for tomorrow.

Egypt’s lesson: Fine margins at the spot

Egypt know the cruelty of penalties as well as anyone. With Salah and Marmoush stepping up first, the plan was sound. But pressure is a living thing. A single save can change the temperature of a shootout, and Nwabali did it twice before Egypt could settle.

This is not a team lacking quality. It is one that came up against a hot goalkeeper and a composed opponent in the key moments. The lesson is simple: in tight games, preparation meets pressure, and pressure wins unless you beat it. On this night, Nigeria did.

“Lookman walked up like it’s a Sunday kickabout and buried history.”

Refereeing and VAR: Calm control on a tense night

With so much on the line, the officiating team kept the game steady. Referee Jalal Jayed (Morocco) oversaw proceedings, supported by assistants Zakiaria Brinsi and Mustafa Akrad (both Morocco), with Peter Kamaku (Kenya) as fourth official. In the booth, Lahlou Benbrahim (Algeria) handled VAR.

In a match where discipline and detail mattered, their calm approach helped the football decide the outcome — and the shootout did just that.

Numbers that tell the story

• Full-time: 0-0 after a cagey 90 minutes.
• Shootout: Nigeria 4-2 Egypt.
• Two massive saves: Stanley Nwabali denied Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush first up.
• Decisive spot-kick: Ademola Lookman sealed it for the Super Eagles.
• Outcome: Bronze medal for Nigeria.

The bigger picture

This was a game decided by mindset. Nigeria stayed steady when the moment was loudest. Egypt, so often masters of the margins, found a wall they could not pass. For the Super Eagles, bronze is both reward and reminder: they can go again, and they can go further.

AFCON 2025’s third-place game delivered a clean, sharp ending. A shootout that swung early and never looked back. A keeper who stole the scene. And a finisher who closed the book with a clear, cool strike. Nigeria leave with medals and momentum. On nights like this, that matters.