The Super Eagles of Nigeria have confirmed their status as the third best team at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after beating the Pharaohs of Egypt 4-2 on penalties, Footynaija.com reports.
Nigeria began the first half on the front foot, dominating the early exchanges as they sought to impose themselves on the game. Their bright start saw a decent chance fall the way of Akor Adams in the 14th minute but the Sevilla striker couldn’t convert.
As the game progressed, Egypt steadily grew into the contest and began to see more of the ball. For all their possession, the Pharaohs struggled to cause serious problems for the Super Eagles defense.
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The seven-time AFCON winners had to wait until the 27th minute to register their first attempt of the game with talisman Mohamed Salah calling Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to action with a low left-footed effort.
With chances at a premium in the game, Nigeria would eventually put the ball in the back of the net with 36 minutes on the clock courtesy of Paul Onuachu. However, the towering striker was adjudged to have committed a foul in the build up.
After a brief VAR check, referee Jalal Jayed overturned the goal and showed Onuachu a yellow card. That happened to be the last significant incident of the first half as both teams went into the interval with the game level at 0-0.
Second half
The Super Eagles shook things up at half time with Ademola Lookman replacing Onuachu and they began the second half just like the first by coming sharply out of the blocks and putting the Egyptians under a lot of pressure.
Their early dominance appeared to have been rewarded just a minute after the restart when Ademola Lookman put the back of the net, but that goal was also ruled out for an offside in the build up.
Both sides exchanged blows for the remainder of the second half but neither was able to inflict any telling damage at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca. The game finished 0-0 and headed straight into penalties.
Penalties
Nigeria went into the shootout under a lot of pressure after coming up short in the semi-final and they got things off to the worst start possible with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missing the opening spot-kick.
However, the Super Eagles bounced back superbly thanks to Nwabali, who denied Egypt’s first two takers Salah and Omar Marmoush to give the West Africans the edge.
Adams, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman all went on to convert their spot-kicks and seal a 4-2 victory to claim bronze at this year’s tournament.
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