The Super Eagles of Nigeria found redemption where heartbreak had earlier struck, as they defeated the hard-fighting Pharaohs of Egypt on penalties to secure third place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The win turned pain into pride restoring belief after the agony of their semi-final exit against Morocco.
In a tightly contested third-place playoff that ended goalless after regulation time, Nigeria prevailed 4–2 on penalties, showcasing a new level of composure, confidence, and mental strength from the spot, a sharp contrast to the nervous shootout collapse that ended their title hopes days earlier.
The victory was not just about winning bronze; it was about correcting past mistakes, exorcising recent demons, and affirming the Super Eagles’ growth under pressure.
The transformation was more evident during the penalty shootout, where Nigeria displayed maturity and precision which was obviously lacking in their semi-final loss to Morocco.
Against the Atlas Lions, Super Eagles body language was tense, with tentative kicks and flawed execution. Two missed penalties and a visible loss of focus handed Morocco the edge and exposed Nigeria’s mental fragility at decisive moments.
Reborn Eagles
Against Egypt, however, the Eagles looked reborn. Each Nigerian penalty taker stepped up with calm authority, dispatching their efforts with conviction.
There was no hesitation, no panic. The shots were well-placed, driven with intent, and taken by players who clearly believed in the moment and trusted the process.
Egypt, by contrast, buckled under the mounting pressure, and the difference was decisive.
At the heart of Nigeria’s triumph stood goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, whose tournament had been a masterclass in resilience, command, and shot-stopping excellence.
If the shootout against Morocco was a lesson, the one against Egypt was Nwabali’s exam, and he passed with distinction.
The Chippa United shot-stopper produced two superlative saves during the shootout, reading the intentions of the Egyptian kickers with remarkable accuracy.
His anticipation, footwork, and lightning reflexes turned Nigeria’s goalmouth into a psychological barrier Egypt could not breach.
Nwabali’s emergence as Man of the Match was premised on his exceptional overall performance in the match.
He was authoritative in the air, commanding his box with confidence, and produced several crucial saves during regulation time to deny Egypt clear chances.
His calm distribution under pressure helped Nigeria maintain structure and composure, especially during periods
