PSL star's heroics secure bronze medal for Nigeria
by KickOff Reporter · KickOffNigeria defeated Egypt on penalties to secure the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday evening.
Super Eagles boss Eric Chelle had Wilfried Ndidi back from suspension, but started him on the bench along with Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, while Egypt gave reserve goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir his first start of the tournament.
There was not a lot of goal-mouth action in the earlier stages before Akor Adams raced clear from a forward pass and unleashed a shot which forced Shobeir into a save.
Egypt came alive following a tentative opening and a through ball into the area released Mohamed Salah on goal, but the skipper saw his effort parried by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
It remained tense late on though the Super Eagles were ahead when Paul Onuachu aided a goal-bound attempt by Adams in the net, but it was disallowed after a foul in the build-up.
Chelle went to the dugout before the resumption and decided to haul Lookman on the park in the place of Onuachu with the Pharaohs unchanged.
The Super Eagles continued on the front-foot after the break and got another promising attempt though Moses Simon was unable to capitalise.
Egypt regained momentum afterwards with Trezeguet pushing forward from a low pass and fired over outside the area, and straight to penalties to determine a winner.
Nwabali came to the fore in the shoot-out with two saves, as Lookman dispatched the winning kick to guide the Super Eagles to a third-place finish in the tournament.