The quest for the trophy may have ended in heartbreak, but for Nigeria and Egypt, two of Africa’s biggest footballing nations, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the aim tonight will be to end on a high with a bronze medal win.
Both sides will be taking on each other on Saturday, January 17 at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca. It will be a clash about renewing acquaintances and going back home with a consolation prize and smiles on their faces.
Match: Egypt v Nigeria (3rd Place Playoff)
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
Kick-off: Saturday, January 17, 2026
Venue: Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca, Morocco
Where to Watch: SuperSport (Africa), E4 (UK), FanCode (India)
In their history, Nigeria have contested seven AFCON third-place playoffs and won all of them, with their last being in 2019, Nigeria has made that medal their own. They will be seeking to maintain that tradition by winning a record eighth
Egypt meanwhile, is looking to salvage a tournament that saw them fall 1-0 to Senegal on Wednesday. Mohamed Salah will be hoping to at least end the tournament with a medal after his side’s pursuit of an eighth title was cut short.
The rivalry between both teams is one of the oldest in African football. In 20 previous meetings, Nigeria have won nine times. Egypt has won the battle on five occasions, while the remaining five games have resulted in draws.
It will be the 10th AFCON meeting in the tournament. Nigeria won the last clash between the two 1-0, but Egypt recently claimed a 2-1 victory in a December 2025 friendly.
Both coaches, Eric Chelle (Nigeria) and Hossam Hassan (Egypt), face selection headaches:
Nigeria: The Super Eagles welcome back captain Wilfred Ndidi after his semi-final suspension. However, they will be without defensive pillar Calvin Bassey, who is suspended. A major cloud hangs over Victor Osimhen, who is a doubt after sustaining an ankle injury against Morocco.
Egypt: The Pharaohs are sweating on the fitness of Mohamed Hamdi. While Trezeguet has shaken off a knock, the Egyptian defense will need to be perfect to stop a Nigerian attack that has scored 14 goals this tournament—the highest of any team.
Winning the clash would mean an eighth bronze medal for Nigeria, and for Egypt, a win would make it their 64th win at the AFCON stage, the most of any nation in history,
Expect a high-scoring affair. AFCON third-place matches average nearly 3 goals per game. Expect a potential goal fest, now with the pressure of winning the tournament itself now gone,
Expect a high-scoring affair. Historically, AFCON third-place matches average nearly 3 goals per game, as the tactical shackles often come off once the pressure of the final is gone.
Nigeria’s psychological "invincibility" in third-place games, combined with the return of Wilfred Ndidi to stabilize the midfield, gives them the slight edge over an Egyptian side that struggled to register shots on target in their semi-final.
