Nigeria's Super Eagles have secured the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a tense penalty shootout victory over Egypt's Pharaohs. The third-place playoff, held at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, ended goalless after regular time, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion.
Nwabali the Hero as Eagles Soar in Shootout
The match's defining moment came from the penalty spot. Stanley Nwabali, Nigeria's first-choice goalkeeper, emerged as the hero, making two crucial saves to deny Egyptian stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. While Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria's first attempt, his teammates showed remarkable composure. Successful conversions from Akor Adams, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi, and Ademola Lookman sealed a 4-2 shootout win for the three-time champions.
Earlier in the match, Nigeria thought they had taken the lead when Paul Onuachu found the net. The goal came from a sequence involving Akor Adams and Samuel Chukwueze, but the officials ruled it out for a foul in the buildup, leaving the scores level.
Chelle's Mixed Emotions and Uncertain Future
Head coach Eric Chelle addressed the media after the match, expressing pride in his team's resilience while also casting doubt on his own tenure. He applauded the players for their performance throughout the tournament, despite the disappointment of falling short of the final.
"It would have been very difficult for me to continue as a coach if we had lost this match," Chelle stated. "I was very demanding of my boys and I would have been so sad for them after the tournament they have had." His comments repeatedly included the conditional phrase "if I'm still the coach," highlighting the uncertainty surrounding his position.
Chelle emphasized his desire to maintain the current squad, saying, "My mission is to keep this group [of players], if I am still the coach of Nigeria of course." He confirmed that discussions with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) regarding his future would take place after the tournament.
Nigeria's Unbeaten Record in Third-Place Matches
This victory marks a significant milestone for Nigerian football. The Super Eagles have now won the AFCON bronze medal a record nine times, extending their own historic tally. Furthermore, the team maintained its perfect 100% record in third-place playoff matches in the competition's history.
The win provides a measure of consolation after the heartbreak of a semi-final defeat to Morocco. It also underscores the team's fighting spirit, having navigated a second consecutive penalty shootout in the tournament to finish on the podium.
