Good evening, and welcome to the live text coverage for the bronze medal match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Record champions Egypt face Nigeria’s Super Eagles this evening in the third-place play-off match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 at the Stade Mohamed V.
With continental pride and a bronze medal at stake, both sides aim to end the tournament on a high note after falling short of reaching the final.
Locked in and ready to go. The Pharaohs and the Super Eagles at Stade Mohammed V. 📍#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/GAZ4OzfJ32
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 17, 2026
Egypt arrive in Casablanca still recovering from their narrow 1–0 semi-final defeat to Senegal in Tangier, which ended their hopes of an eighth continental title. Head coach Hossam Hassan insists the tournament has offered valuable lessons, especially with the FIFA World Cup approaching.
The Pharaohs reached the last four unbeaten, including a dramatic 3–2 quarter-final victory over defending champions Côte d’Ivoire. However, their cautious approach against Senegal left them short of attacking opportunities, producing just three shots in 90 minutes. Despite that setback, Egypt remain focused on finishing on the podium and refining tactical systems tested throughout the competition.
Much of the attacking responsibility will once again fall on Mohamed Salah, who has scored in four of Egypt’s six matches and remains in contention for the Golden Boot, just one goal behind Morocco’s Brahim Díaz. After a largely isolated semi-final performance, the Liverpool forward will be determined to make his mark.
Nigeria’s journey to the play-off has been equally compelling and painful. After winning all five of their opening matches and scoring a tournament-high 14 goals, the Super Eagles were stopped by hosts Morocco in the semi-final. A goalless 120 minutes in Rabat, followed by a 4–2 defeat on penalties, ended their hopes of back-to-back finals.
Head coach Éric Chelle has urged his players to respond with professionalism, viewing the third-place match as unfinished business rather than consolation.
Here is how the two national teams lineup for today’s showdown.
The starting XIs for today’s encounter. 🇪🇬🇳🇬#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/th1TqsrYu0
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 17, 2026
We are just 30 minutes away from kick-off.
Big-game players on both sides. Bronze. Tonight. 🇪🇬🇳🇬#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/Ik1oZ4hcGn
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 17, 2026
The two teams are out ahead of kick off. Let’s hear their national anthem.
With pre-kick off rituals done, let the game begin.
First-half:
1’ And we are off, Nigeria have kick us off. May the best team win.
3’ Good early exchanges between Egypt and Nigeria.
4’ Egypt bursts forward with Trezeguet on the left flanks. He sends in trivela cross by Stanley Nwabali makes a timely save to ensure the pass does not reach Mohamed Salah.
6’ Nigeria are clear in their approach. Commits a lot of bodies in the attack to score first. But will it work?
10’ Egypt 0-0 Nigeria.
14’ Akor Adams takes a shot at goal. It is deflected by the Egypt keeper, who is alert and makes the save.
17’ Victor Osimhen tries to get on the end of a cross from Samuel Chukwueze, but he is beaten in the air. Egypt regain possession.
20’ Egypt resorting to long balls to Mohamed Salah but so far it has not worked.
23’ Zizo tries to sink one from close range but his effort is deflect for an Egypt corner. Salah take a short corner but the cross is dealt with by Nigeria’s defense.
26’ Danger for Nigeria. Egypt has a lot of bodies in the Nigeria area and almost get the chance to score. Getting closer and closer!
28’ Chance for Nigeria but the Egypt defense deals with the threat. It’s now end to end stuff but we are yet to see a goal.
30’ Egypt 0-0 Nigeria. We are goalless after half an hour. Will there be a goal before halftime?
33′ Raphael Onyedika (Nigeria) holds his opponent to prevent him from getting the ball and the referee blows for a foul after seeing the whole situation.
34′ Mohamed Hany (Egypt) sends a long ball forward to Mostafa Mohamed, but he put too much power and the chance is gone. The ball is off of the pitch and it’s a goal kick for Nigeria.
36′ A perfect lofted pass from Samuel Chukwueze finds Akor Adams (Nigeria), who jumps highest and steers a close-range header to the middle in the countermovement of the keeper. His effort was both strong and precise, and Oufa Shobeir had no chance of stopping that. 0:1.
38′ Houston we have a problem. VAR is reviewing a possible foul before the goal. The goal is chopped off. Onuachu is shown a yellow card for elbowing a defender.
40′ Egypt 0-0 Nigeria. We are into the last five matches of the game.
42′ Paul Onuachu (Nigeria) makes a slide tackle, but referee Jalal Jayed blows for a foul.
44′ Rami Rabia (Egypt) goes on a solo run, but he fails to create a chance as an opposition player blocks him. The ball is behind the touchline and Egypt will take a throw-in.
45′ The referee is firm and issues Moses Simon (Nigeria) a deserved yellow card. We will do four minutes of added time.
Halftime: The referee blows his whistle for the end of the first half. More to play for in the second half.
