Still nursing the disappointment of falling short at the final hurdle, Egypt and Nigeria return to action on Saturday when they meet in the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 third-place playoff in Casablanca.
Both sides entered the tournament with realistic title ambitions, but semi-final defeats have forced them into a consolation fixture that nevertheless carries significance, pride and a place on the podium.
Match preview
Egypt’s quest for an eighth AFCON crown ended in frustration in the last four, where Hossam Hassan’s side were edged out by Senegal in a tightly contested encounter decided by a single second-half strike. It was a cruel outcome for the Pharaohs, who had shown resilience throughout the knockout stages.
After negotiating a testing round-of-16 tie against Benin that required extra time, Egypt produced one of their strongest performances of the tournament to eliminate Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals.
Mo Salah. Photo Credit: Imago
However, against Senegal’s physicality and control, clear-cut chances proved scarce, and their exit was sealed late on.
With the title now out of reach, Egypt must quickly refocus, knowing that a third-place finish would still represent a respectable return from the competition and a morale boost ahead of upcoming 2027 AFCON qualifiers and 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria arrive in Casablanca with similar emotions. The Super Eagles were denied a place in the final by hosts Morocco, losing on penalties after a tense semi-final that ended goalless in regulation time.
That encounter marked Nigeria’s first failure to score at AFCON 2025, a rare off-day in attack after a run of composed, efficient displays earlier in the tournament. Despite that, Eric Chelle’s men showed defensive discipline and mental strength to force a shootout, only to fall agonisingly short.
Osimhen and Lookman. Photo Credit: Imago
Historically, Nigeria have enjoyed the upper hand in third-place matches at AFCON, and they will be keen to maintain that trend while ensuring the campaign ends with silverware rather than regret.
Recent AFCON form
Egypt: W W D W W L
Nigeria: W W W W W L
Team news
Egypt will be without Hossam Abdelmaguid, who serves a suspension after accumulating yellow cards, while Mohamed Hamdy remains sidelined following a knee injury sustained earlier in the tournament.
Captain Mohamed Salah, Egypt’s leading scorer at the finals, is being carefully managed and may not be risked from the start, which would place added responsibility on Omar Marmoush, Mostafa Mohamed and Trezeguet in the final third.
Nigeria also have selection concerns. Calvin Bassey is suspended after picking up a booking in the semi-final, while Cyriel Dessers is ruled out and had left camp due to a thigh injury.
The positive news for the Super Eagles is the return of Wilfred Ndidi, who missed the Morocco game through suspension.
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Fitness remains a question mark over Victor Osimhen, who was forced off late in the semi-final with an ankle issue. Should the striker fail to recover in time, Nigeria are expected to reshuffle their attack, with Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams and Paul Onuachu all options to start.
Victor Osimhen. Photo Credit: Imago
Egypt Possible starting lineups
El Shenawy; Hany, Ibrahim, Rabia, Fatouh; Attia, Ashour, Fathy; Marmoush; Trezeguet, Mostafa Mohamed
Nigeria possible starting lineup
Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Awaziem, Sanusi; Onyeka, Ndidi, Iwobi; Lookman; Akor Adams, Onuachu
PREDICTION
With both sides likely to rotate and manage fitness levels, this contest may lack the intensity of a final, but Nigeria’s balance and depth could prove decisive.
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Even without a fully fit Osimhen, the Super Eagles possess enough attacking quality to edge a narrow victory and finish their AFCON 2025 campaign with a bronze medal.
Egypt 0-1 Nigeria
