- Safiu Kehinde
Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has again pulled up heroic penalty saves as he denied Egypt’s Mohammed Salah and Omar Marmoosh scoring opportunities to secure Nigeria a third-place finish in the 2025 African Cup of Nations.
Nigeria squared up against the Pharaohs on Saturday for the third-place spot after being denied the opportunity to advance to the final by host nation, Morocco.
The three-time African champions, who lost the Atlas Lions in penalty shootout despite Nwabali effort, would again be faced with another five spot kicks situation after playing a goalless draw against Egypt.
As usual, the spot kick started with Nigeria taking the first shot.
However, unlike the game against Morocco where Paul Onuachu score the opening for Nigeria, the Egyptian goalkeeper denied Fisayo Dele-Bashiru the goal scoring opportunity.
All eyes then set on Nwabali who was next to face Egypt’s first spot kick taken by the captain and Liverpool man, Salah.
Again, the Chippa United goalkeeper put himself on the line for Nigeria as he denied Salah an opener.
Super Eagles would capitslise on the advantage as Akor Adams sent Egypt’s goal keeper the wrong way to put Nigeria into the lead.
While Adam’s goal gave Super Eagles fans a sigh of relief in the stadium, Nwabali’s heroics would further secure Nigeria’s chance for bronze medal as he again saved Egypt’s second penalty taken by Manchester City’s forward, Omar Marmoosh.
Moses Simon made the Super Eagles lead from the spot kick to 2-0.
Egypt pulled one back with their third penalty which best Nwabali.
Nigeria however remained resolute in their bid to seal their AFCON campaign with a bronze medal as Alex Iwobi stepped up to make it 3-1.
With Egypt again finding the back of the net Super Eagles were required to score their fourth spot kick to seal the game.
Atalanta forward and former African Best Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman, stepped up for the big task.
Absorbing the pressure and antics from the Egyptian goalkeeper, Lookman slotted the ball far beyond his reach to earn Nigeria a well-deserved third-place finish in an impressive AFCON campaign.
The team will however wait till the final match between Morocco and Senegal in Sunday to receive their bronze medal.