The Super Eagles of Nigeria face Egypt’s Pharaohs today in the third-place playoff of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, seeking to claim bronze after both teams suffered heartbreaking semi-final exits.
Nigeria, chasing a record ninth AFCON bronze medal and boasting a perfect 8-0 record in previous third-place matches, named a rotated lineup, with star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman surprisingly starting on the bench.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali retains his spot, protected by a backline of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Igoh Ogbu—stepping in for the suspended Calvin Bassey—Semi Ajayi, and Bruno Onyemaechi. Midfield duties are handled by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika, while Moses Simon, captaining the side, and Samuel Chukwueze provide width on the flanks.
Starting XI:
Nwabali (23); Osayi (2), M. Oho (5), Ajayi (6), Bruno (13); D. Bashiru (10), Onyedika (18); Chukwueze (11), Simon (15); Onuachu (19), Akor (22)
Substitutes:
Uzoho, Zaidu, Lookman, Onyeka, Osimhen, Usman, Iwobi, Amas, Akinsamiro, Alebiosu, Awaziem, Ejuke, Fago, Nnadi
The Super Eagles topped Group C with a perfect record, defeating Tanzania 2-1, Tunisia 3-2, and Uganda 3-1, scoring eight goals and conceding four. They advanced through the knockouts with a 4-0 win over Mozambique in the Round of 16 and a 2-0 victory against Algeria in the quarter-finals.
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Their semi-final against hosts Morocco ended 0-0 after 120 minutes, but Nigeria fell 4-2 on penalties despite heroic saves from Nwabali, with Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou denying Bruno Onyemaechi at a crucial moment.
Egypt, seven-time AFCON champions, topped Group B with victories over Zimbabwe (2-1) and South Africa (1-0), plus a 0-0 draw with Angola. The Pharaohs overcame Benin 3-1 after extra time in the Round of 16 and stunned defending champions Ivory Coast 3-2 in the quarter-finals. Their semi-final ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Senegal, courtesy of Sadio Mané’s decisive strike, their first semi-final loss in over two decades.
This will be Egypt’s seventh third-place playoff appearance, with three prior bronzes, while Nigeria aims to maintain their unbeaten run in the fixture.