Daijiworld Media Network - Rabat
Rabat, Jan 18: Nigeria secured the third-place finish at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Egypt 4-2 in a penalty shootout following a scoreless draw at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Stadium on Saturday.
With neither side able to break the deadlock in regulation time, the contest was decided from the spot. Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerged as the hero, saving penalties from Egyptian stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. Ademola Lookman calmly converted the decisive kick to seal victory for the Super Eagles.
Nigeria entered the playoff after a semifinal defeat to host Morocco on penalties, while Egypt had lost 1-0 to Senegal. The win preserved Nigeria’s perfect record in AFCON third-place matches, having now won all eight such playoffs they have contested.
The shootout began nervously for Nigeria as Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed the opening kick. However, Akor Adams, skipper Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi all converted their attempts. For Egypt, Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored, but missed efforts from Salah and Marmoush proved costly.
Both teams made multiple changes from their semifinal line-ups, with Egypt making six alterations and Nigeria five. Salah started for the Pharaohs, while goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and forward Marmoush began on the bench.
The match itself was tightly contested. Both sides enjoyed spells of dominance in a goalless first half played under cool, cloudy conditions. Nigeria came close in the 36th minute when Paul Onuachu headed home, but a VAR review ruled out the goal for a foul, and the striker was booked.
Onuachu was replaced by Lookman at halftime, and the substitute had the ball in the net early in the second half, only for the effort to be chalked off for offside. Nigeria increased the pressure after the break, forcing Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into several saves.
Egypt struggled to create clear chances, with Salah largely contained and Marmoush introduced after the hour to spark the attack. Late opportunities fell to Adams and Marmoush, but neither could finish decisively. Salah also wasted a promising free-kick opportunity, firing straight into the wall.
With no breakthrough before full time, the match went to penalties, where Nigeria held their nerve to claim third place.
The Africa Cup of Nations final will be played on Sunday, with defending champions Senegal set to face hosts Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.