Egypt vs. Nigeria Result: Super Eagles Clinch AFCON 2025 Bronze on Penalties After Salah Miss

Match Overview

In a dramatic evening in Morocco, the

Super Eagles

of Nigeria

secured the bronze medal at the

2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)

, defeating Egypt 4-2 on penalties following a goalless draw in regular time.

The match, played on Saturday, January 17, 2026, was a tense tactical battle. While the Pharaohs of Egypt defended resiliently, they ultimately fell short in the shootout, finishing the tournament in fourth place.

Match Highlights: Defensive Grunt and Disallowed Goals

The game was characterized by high tactical discipline, with Nigeria showing more attacking intent while Egypt relied on their goalkeeper and counter-attacks.

• First Half: Nigeria started strong, pressing high up the pitch. They managed to put the ball in the net early on, but the goal was disallowed by the referee for a foul in the buildup. Egypt struggled to maintain possession, relying on Mohamed Salah and Trezeguet for quick breaks.

• Second Half: The drama continued as Ademola Lookman appeared to give Nigeria the lead shortly after the break. However, VAR intervened, ruling the goal out for offside. The match remained deadlock at 0-0 until the final whistle.

• The Wall of Egypt: Young goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir was the standout performer for the Pharaohs, making three crucial saves that kept Egypt in the game against a dangerous Nigerian attack.

Penalty Shootout Drama (4-2)

With no extra time played in the third-place playoff, the match went straight to penalties. The shootout was filled with tension:

1. First Round (The Shock): Egypt’s captain Mohamed Salah stepped up first but saw his effort saved by Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

2. Nigeria’s Response: Nigeria also missed their opening spot-kick (saved by Shobeir/hit the woodwork), keeping hopes alive for Egypt.

3. The Decider: The Super Eagles regained their composure, scoring their next four penalties consecutively—including the winner by Lookman. Egypt missed a second penalty, while Rami Rabia and Mahmoud Saber converted theirs, ending the shootout at 4-2.

Egypt vs. Nigeria: Key Statistics

Here is a breakdown of the stats from the Third-Place Play-off:

Tactical Analysis: Why Egypt Missed the Podium

Football analysts point to several factors for Egypt’s loss:

1. Fatigue: The Egyptian squad appeared physically drained following a grueling semi-final, affecting their transition play.

2. Lack of Firepower: The Pharaohs struggled to create clear-cut chances, registering fewer shots on target than their opponents.

3. Psychological Blow: Mohamed Salah missing the opening penalty heaped pressure on the remaining takers, shifting the momentum to Nigeria.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Who won the Egypt vs. Nigeria match today?

A: Nigeria won the match 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw, claiming the AFCON 2025 Bronze medal.

Q: Did Mohamed Salah score in the penalty shootout?

A: No, Mohamed Salah missed the first penalty for Egypt; his shot was saved by the Nigerian goalkeeper.

Q: Who was Egypt’s goalkeeper in this match?

A: Mostafa Shobeir started in goal for Egypt and produced a Man of the Match performance during regular time.

Q: When is the AFCON 2025 Final?

A: The final match to determine the champion will be played tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, 2026.