Two of Africa’s football powerhouses, Egypt and Nigeria, are set to clash in the third-place playoff of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Casablanca on Saturday. Both nations arrived in Morocco with genuine title ambitions but saw their hopes dashed in agonizing semi-final defeats, leaving them to battle for the bronze medal and a chance for psychological repair after painful near-misses. The Super Eagles and the Pharaohs, boasting a combined 10 continental titles, now seek to salvage silverware and restore pride for their passionate fan bases before Senegal and hosts Morocco contest the final.

Egypt’s ambition was to clinch an eighth AFCON crown, ending a 15-year wait for continental glory. Under Hossam Hassan, the Pharaohs showcased a sharper, more athletic, and balanced squad. Their path to the semi-finals was arduous, requiring extra time to defeat Benin in the Round of 16 and delivering a thrilling 3-2 quarter-final win over Ivory Coast. However, their journey ended against Senegal in a tight and tense semi-final, where Sadio Mané’s 78th-minute strike beat Mohamed El Shenawy, crushing Egyptian hopes.

Nigeria’s campaign was equally emotionally taxing. Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles entered the tournament under pressure following their failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Yet, they steadily grew into contenders, displaying some of the competition’s most balanced football – compact defensively, dynamic in transition, and increasingly creative in attack. Their impressive run hit a wall against hosts Morocco. After a fierce, tactical 0-0 draw in Rabat, Nigeria’s first goalless game of the tournament, they succumbed in a dramatic penalty shootout. Despite Stanley Nwabali’s save, misses from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi proved fatal, allowing Youssef En-Nesyri to send Morocco into the final.

NFF President Ibrahim Gusau has urged the Super Eagles to put their semi-final loss behind them and secure the bronze medal. Gusau emphasized the importance of mental resilience, stating, “It is important to retain focus by not continuing to dwell on what happened in the semi-final match.” He expressed pride in the team’s overall performance, noting they scored the most goals in the championship, and stressed the need to finish the tournament on a positive note. This third-place playoff against Egypt offers Nigeria an opportunity to cap an impressive campaign with a meaningful consolation.

Historically, Nigeria holds a formidable record in AFCON third-place matches, having never lost in eight such encounters and boasting eight bronze medals, more than any other nation. This will be the first time the Super Eagles face the Pharaohs in an AFCON third-place playoff. Across all competitions, Nigeria maintains an advantage in their head-to-head record, winning nine out of 19 matches and losing only five. Within the AFCON specifically, Nigeria has won five of nine meetings, with Egypt securing two victories. Notably, on the eve of AFCON 2025, Egypt claimed a 2-1 friendly win over Nigeria, though key players like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Mohamed Salah, and Omar Marmoush were absent from that match.

Both teams are expected to rotate their squads. For Egypt, Hossam Abdelmaguid is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards, and Mohamed Hamdy remains sidelined with a serious knee injury. While rotation is anticipated, it would be surprising if key players like Mohamed Salah or Omar Marmoush were completely rested. Salah, even in disappointment, has been Egypt’s talisman, contributing four goals and an assist in five games, with their attacking structure revolving around his movement and game-deciding ability.

Nigeria also faces selection challenges. Defender Calvin Bassey is suspended after receiving his second yellow card of the knockout stages in the semi-final. Chidozie Awaziem is the leading candidate to replace Bassey, expected to partner Semi Ajayi in central defence. Ryan Alebiosu is grappling with fitness issues. In a boost for Nigeria, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is available again after serving his suspension and is expected to return to the starting lineup, adding balance and control. However, star forward Victor Osimhen remains a doubt after sustaining an ankle injury against Morocco, forcing his early exit before the penalty shootout. Coach Eric Chelle explained Osimhen’s substitution was both precautionary and tactical, made to bring in statistically better penalty takers. Should Osimhen be unavailable, Akor Adams is expected to lead the line, potentially supported by Paul Onuachu, Ademola Lookman, and Moses Simon, with new players like Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Salim Fago Lawal, and Usman Mohammed also in contention for their AFCON debuts. Ademola Lookman, with three goals and four assists, has been arguably Nigeria’s best player, and if Osimhen is absent, he becomes the central figure in the Super Eagles’ attack.

Tactically, Egypt is likely to adopt a more attacking approach than in their semi-final, playing with greater freedom and pushing more numbers forward, with Marmoush and Trezeguet operating closer to Mostafa Mohamed. Nigeria, conversely, will probably adhere to their familiar compact shape, aiming for rapid breaks through Lookman, Simon, and their wing-backs. Without Bassey, Chelle must choose between Chidozie Awaziem and Igoh Ogbu at centre-back, while the midfield, featuring Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Frank Onyeka, remains a solid structure. This encounter is predicted to be more open than either semi-final.

The match will take place at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on Saturday, January 17, 2026, with a kick-off time of 4:00 PM GMT (5:00 PM WAT for Nigeria). A referee is yet to be confirmed, but VAR will be in use. Probable line-ups suggest Egypt (4-2-3-1): El Shenawy; Sobhi, Ibrahim, Rabia, Fatouh; Lasheen, Fathi; Salah, Marmoush, Trezeguet; Mostafa Mohamed. Nigeria (4-1-2-1-2): Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Awaziem, Onyemaechi; Ndidi; Dele-Bashiru, Onyeka; Lookman; Simon, Onuachu. Third-place playoffs often yield surprisingly open football, and this match should be no exception. While Egypt will seek to provide their supporters with a reason to cheer, Nigeria’s athleticism, structured play, and attacking depth, even potentially without Osimhen, may prove decisive, securing them a small but significant consolation at the end of a long, bruising tournament. The prediction stands at Egypt 1-2 Nigeria.