Stanley Nwabali saved two penalty kicks on Saturday evening, leading Nigeria to edge Egypt 4-2 on penalties after extra time to claim the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
After a tense encounter that remained unresolved through extra time, the goalkeeper’s heroics from the spot proved decisive in separating the two African heavyweights.
The match was filled with drama and controversy from the early stages. In the 35th minute, Samuel Chukwueze delivered a perfectly weighted lofted pass that found Akor Adams, who rose above his marker and directed a powerful close-range header straight down the middle.
The effort beat goalkeeper Oufa Shobeir with ease, but celebrations were cut short as a VAR review was initiated to assess a possible infringement in the build-up. Following the review, the referee ruled out the goal for a foul, leaving Nigeria’s players visibly frustrated.
HALF-TIME! 🇪🇬🇳🇬
Goalless first half. #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/hZZCd1PdiS
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 17, 2026
The second half brought further controversy. Just after the restart, Ademola Lookman thought he had broken the deadlock for Nigeria, only for his effort to be disallowed for offside. The decision sparked anger and disbelief among the Nigerian players, as the match continued to swing on fine margins.
Egypt had their own moment of appeal late in the game when Omar Marmoush went down in the penalty area following a challenge. Initially, the referee waved play on, but a pause in proceedings followed as referee Jalal Jayed received communication and signalled for a VAR check on the earlier incident. The tension inside the stadium grew as both teams awaited the outcome.
FULL-TIME! 🇪🇬🇳🇬
Nigeria win it on penalties. #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | @tecnomobile pic.twitter.com/k1c9VOhTgO
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 17, 2026
With neither side able to find a decisive goal through regulation time and extra time, the match was settled by penalties. It was there that Nwabali stepped into the spotlight, saving two spot-kicks from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush to tilt the contest in Nigeria’s favour.
The Super Eagles converted four of their penalties to Egypt’s two, sealing a hard-fought victory and clinching the bronze medal.
BRONZE MEDALISTS. 🥉
Nigeria claim third place at the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025. 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/bQIzD4sD3F
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 17, 2026
With the battle for the bronze medal out of the way, all is set for the grand finale on Sunday, January 18, when Senegal will lock horns with host Morocco. That encounter is scheduled to kick off at 19:00GMT.
