Egypt v Nigeria: Pride, progress and third place on the line in Casablanca

Record champions Egypt face Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Saturday evening with continental pride and a bronze medal at stake, as the two African heavyweights meet in the third-place play-off of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.

While both sides fell short of their ultimate ambition of reaching the final, the match at the Stade Mohamed V offers an opportunity to close the tournament on a positive note — and to underline their pedigree on the African stage.

Egypt seeking purpose after semi-final heartbreak

Egypt arrive in Casablanca still processing the disappointment of their narrow semi-final defeat to Senegal. A 1–0 loss in Tangier ended their hopes of an eighth continental title, but head coach Hossam Hassan insists the tournament has provided valuable lessons — particularly with a FIFA World Cup campaign on the horizon.

The Pharaohs progressed to the last four unbeaten and produced one of the most dramatic matches of the competition in their 3–2 quarter-final victory over defending champions Côte d’Ivoire. Yet their cautious approach against Senegal left them short of attacking threat, managing just three shots in 90 minutes.

Despite that setback, Egypt’s focus remains clear. The third-place match offers both a chance to finish on the podium and an opportunity to continue refining tactical systems tested throughout the tournament.

Much of Egypt’s attacking responsibility once again rests on Mohamed Salah. The captain has scored in four of Egypt’s six matches and remains in contention for the Golden Boot, sitting just one goal behind Morocco’s Brahim Díaz. After being largely isolated in the semi-final, the Liverpool forward will be keen to make his mark.

Nigeria aiming to end strongly after penalty pain

Nigeria’s journey to the play-off has been equally compelling — and equally painful. After winning all five of their opening matches and scoring a tournament-high 14 goals, the Super Eagles were halted by hosts Morocco in the semi-final.

A goalless 120 minutes in Rabat saw Nigeria limited to just two shots, before a 4–2 defeat on penalties ended their hopes of reaching back-to-back finals.

Head coach Éric Chelle has urged his players to respond with professionalism and focus, viewing the third-place match as unfinished business rather than consolation.

Nigeria’s attacking threat remains formidable, even after their blank against Morocco. Victor Osimhen, who scored four times before the semi-final, remains in the Golden Boot race and will be eager to rediscover his scoring touch against familiar opposition.

The Super Eagles also carry a strong historical record in AFCON third-place play-offs, having won all seven matches they have contested — often by narrow margins.

A familiar rivalry with history and edge

Saturday’s clash marks the 10th AFCON meeting between Egypt and Nigeria, renewing a rivalry that has shaped multiple eras of African football. Their most recent AFCON encounter came in 2021, when Nigeria claimed a 1–0 group-stage victory.

Across nine previous AFCON meetings, Nigeria hold the edge with five wins, while Egypt have won twice, with two draws. The teams last met in Morocco at the 1988 tournament, when a goalless draw sent Nigeria through at Egypt’s expense.

Third-place play-offs at AFCON have traditionally delivered goals and drama, and with both sides keen to restore momentum after semi-final disappointment, Casablanca is set for another competitive chapter.

Pre-match quotes

Hossam Hassan – Egypt head coach:

"It has been very good preparation for us, we've tried several systems of play throughout the tournament and played against different types of opponents.

We came close to the final but that's football.

Overall, I'm satisfied with all that happened and what we achieved. We have a good team.

I think tomorrow's game gives us a chance to continue preparations, but we always want to win. Egypt always plays to win, we are a team who have won seven Cup of Nations in the past."

Éric Chelle – Nigeria head coach:

"Losing on penalties is very painful. It's difficult because we worked hard throughout the entire tournament, but that's football. We must continue working.

The African Cup [of Nations] is not finished. We have to stay focused on the next game, and we have to win this game."

Pre-match stat

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