by Ajewole Joshua ABNews January 17, 2026
The Nigeria Super Eagles on Saturday claimed third place at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after defeating Egypt 4–2 on penalties following a goalless 90 minutes encounter in the third-place playoff match.
The highly anticipated clash between two African football giants failed to produce goals in regulation time, as both sides put up disciplined defensive performances and neutralised attacking threats throughout the match.
With neither Nigeria nor Egypt able to find the breakthrough within the regulation 90 minutes, the game was decided via a penalty shootout, where the Super Eagles showed greater composure and accuracy from the spot.
Nigeria converted four of their penalties, while Egypt could only manage two, handing the Super Eagles a deserved victory and the bronze medal at the continental tournament.
The win marks another successful third-place finish for Nigeria, reinforcing the team’s strong tradition in AFCON playoff matches and providing a positive end to their tournament campaign after narrowly missing out on a place in the final.
Despite the absence of goals in open play, the encounter was intense and competitive, with both teams creating half-chances and maintaining high tactical discipline until the final whistle.
The Super Eagles’ triumph over Egypt offers encouragement heading into future international fixtures, as the team once again demonstrated resilience, focus, and mental strength under pressure.
