SUPER EAGLES BEAT EGYPT ON PENALTIES TO WIN AFCON BRONZE

By: Gyang Dakwo

Nigeria claimed a bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations after beating Egypt on penalties in the third place play off on Saturday.

The match ended goalless after ninety minutes, and both sides struggled to create clear chances for long periods. However as there was no winner in regulation time, the game was decided by a penalty shootout.

Nigeria took the first kick, and Fisayo Dele Bashiru missed, which brought back memories of recent shootout defeats to DR Congo and Morocco. But the mood quickly changed as goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali stepped up for the Super Eagles. He saved back to back penalties from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, and this gave Nigeria a clear advantage.

Ademola Lookman then calmly scored the winning kick to seal the victory.

The result means Nigeria have kept their perfect record in AFCON third place matches, as they have never lost in the play off. It also marked their ninth podium finish at the tournament.

For Egypt, it was another disappointment, as they suffered a fourth straight defeat in the third-place match and settled for fourth position again.

Before the game, both coaches spoke about the importance of finishing third. However, their team selections suggested otherwise. Egypt coach Hossam Hassan made six changes from the team that lost to Senegal in the semi-final. Nigeria coach Eric Chelle also rested key players, as Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman all started on the bench.

The first half was quiet, but things picked up about ten minutes before the break. Nigeria thought they had taken the lead when Samuel Chukwueze saw his header saved and the rebound was sent back into the box. Akor Adams headed the ball into the net, with Paul Onuachu in front of goal. But after a VAR review, the goal was ruled out because Onuachu was judged to have caught Hamdy Fathy in the face with his elbow.

Early in the second half, Nigeria had another goal disallowed. Lookman, who came on for Onuachu at half time, headed the ball into the net, but it was ruled offside against Adams in the buildup.

After that, clear chances were rare for both teams, and the game drifted towards penalties. In the end, Nwabali and Lookman made the difference, as Nigeria held their nerve and finished the tournament with a bronze medal.