Nigeria secured the bronze medals at the Africa Cup of Nations after edging past Egypt in a dramatic penalty shootout, following a goalless draw in regulation time in Casablanca.

The match itself was tense and finely balanced. Nigeria thought they had broken the deadlock on two separate occasions, only for both goals to be ruled out after VAR intervention — a bitter blow that summed up a night of frustration in front of goal.

With star striker Victor Osimhen watching on from the bench, the spotlight shifted elsewhere — and it was goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali who rose to the occasion. Calm, focused and fearless, he kept Egypt at bay during normal time and then became the decisive figure in the shootout.

Nwabali saved penalties from Omar Marmoush and, crucially, from Egypt’s talisman Mohamed Salah. The miss from the Liverpool forward proved decisive, sending the Super Eagles into celebration and leaving Egypt’s captain visibly distraught.

2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Egypt - Nigeria 0:0, shoot-out 2:4

Egypt: Shobeir; Sobhi; Hany; Rabia; Hassan (Saber, 61); Ashour; Fathi H.; Lasheen; Zizo (Marmoush, 60); Salah; Mostafa Mohamed (Adel, 73)
Substitution: Marmoush (from 60); Saber (from 61); Adel (from 73)
Bench: El Shenawy A.; El Shenawy M.; Eid; Ismail; Shehata; Fathi; Faisal

Nigeria: Nwabili; Osayi-Samuel (Iwobi, 65); Ogbu; Ajayi (Awaziem, 90); Dele-Bashiru F.; Onyemaechi; Onyedika; Chukwueze (Ejuke, 90); Simon M.; Onuachu (Lookman, 46); Adams Ak.
Substitution: Lookman (from 46); Iwobi (from 65); Awaziem (from 90); Ejuke (from 90)
Bench: Uzoho; Obasogie; Sanusi; Ndidi; Alebiosu R.; Nnadi; Onyeka; Usman Edu; Akinsanmiro; Osimhen; Lawal Sal.
Yellow Cards: Onuachu 39; Simon M. 45; Ogbu 87