AFCON 2025: Bronze medal at stake as Super Eagles tackle the Pharaohs

After a thrilling midweek of action that saw Senegal and hosts Morocco secure their spots in the 35th edition of 2025 African Cup of Nations finals, attention now turns to the third-place encounter scheduled for Saturday, 17 January.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news

Nigeria and Egypt will face off in what promises to be a compelling clash at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, marking the tenth meeting between these two storied African football nations.

Historically, Nigeria holds the upper hand in head-to-head meetings, boasting five wins to Egypt’s two, with the remaining two fixtures ending in draws.

Notable clashes include Egypt’s commanding 6-3 victory in 1963, while Nigeria secured the latest triumph with a 1-0 win.

For the Super Eagles, this marks their ninth appearance in an AFCON third-place playoff. Nigeria’s record in these matches is formidable, with eight wins from nine outings.

Their latest success came in 2010, when they edged Algeria 1-0, while their only defeat occurred in 2019, falling 2-1 to Tunisia.

Egypt, on the other hand, makes their sixth appearance in a third-place clash, with their most recent outing dating back nearly two decades to 2008.

The Pharaohs have won three of their previous five third-place matches, in 1959, 1988, and 2008, while suffering defeats in 1963 and 1970.

FALSE 10: Hollow swan song and last dance without grace

Ahead of the match, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan praised the tournament as a valuable preparation for the upcoming World Cup.

“It has been very good preparations for us. We’ve tried several systems of play throughout the tournament and played against different types of opponents,” Hassan said.

"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, and our Europe-based players have gained valuable tactical and physical experience.”

His Nigerian counterpart, Eric Chelle, expressed disappointment at missing the final but urged his squad to fight for a podium finish.

“To be honest with you ,I'm disappointed to be here. I had great ambitions for this tournament. After we lost to Morocco, I told my players to keep their heads up,they’ve had a great tournament and they have equally motivated me by the same,” Chelle remarked.

Beyond pride and prestige, the stakes are high.

From eating frozen pizza to a €31 million Premier League move

The winner will not only secure bronze medals but will also take home a substantial cash prize of US $2,500,000 (approximately Ksh 322,500,000), setting the stage for what promises to be a highly competitive and thrilling showdown.