AFCON 2025: Nigeria vs Egypt Third-Place Match Preview & Updates

AFCON 2025: Nigeria vs Egypt Third-Place Match Preview & Updates

By  Editor

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face Egypt’s Pharaohs today, Saturday at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca as both teams battle for third place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Kick-off is scheduled for 5:00 pm Nigerian time. Both sides are aiming to end their campaigns on a positive note after narrow semi-final defeats earlier in the week.

Nigeria’s impressive run in Morocco was halted by the host nation in a tightly contested semi-final. The Super Eagles registered just two shots over 120 minutes before losing 4–2 on penalties following a goalless draw. The encounter was marked by tactical discipline and defensive solidity, making the exit particularly painful.

Egypt, the tournament’s most successful nation with seven AFCON titles, fell 1–0 to Senegal in Tangier, with Sadio Mané netting a late winner.

Despite the setback, Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has challenged his players to reset mentally and approach the third-place playoff with determination.

On the Egyptian side, head coach Hossam Hassan views the competition as an important phase in preparations for the World Cup later this year, where the Pharaohs will compete in Group G against Belgium, New Zealand and Iran.

Saturday’s match will also feature two of the tournament’s most lethal attackers. Egypt captain Mohamed Salah and Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen have both scored four goals so far, just one behind top scorer Brahim Diaz.

This encounter marks the 10th AFCON meeting between Nigeria and Egypt. The Super Eagles won their most recent AFCON clash, edging Egypt 1–0 in the group stage of the 2021 tournament. Nigeria also boast a perfect record in AFCON third-place playoffs, having won all eight previous matches.

AFCON Meetings

Nigeria: Played 9 | Won 5 | Drawn 2 | Lost 2 | Goals For 12 | Goals Against 13
Egypt: Played 9 | Won 2 | Drawn 2 | Lost 5 | Goals For 13 | Goals Against 12

Overall, the two sides have met 20 times, with Nigeria recording eight wins, Egypt six, and six matches ending in draws. Nigeria have won the last two AFCON-related encounters, both by 1–0 margins, including the 2021 group-stage clash.

Egypt, however, claimed victory in the most recent meeting between the teams — a friendly played on December 16, 2025. Mahmoud Saber opened the scoring in the 28th minute, Mostafa Mohamed added a second after the interval, while Chidozie Awaziem pulled one back for Nigeria in first-half stoppage time.

Nigeria’s last friendly victory over Egypt came in Asaba in 2019, ending a seven-game winless streak against the Pharaohs and securing their first win over them in 29 years, since the 1990 AFCON triumph.

The Super Eagles will welcome back captain Wilfred Ndidi, who missed the semi-final through suspension. Defender Calvin Bassey is suspended after receiving a first-half yellow card in the last match.

There are concerns over Victor Osimhen’s fitness after he was withdrawn during extra time against Morocco, while Ryan Alebiosu has also been dealing with fitness issues. Striker Cyriel Dessers has been ruled out after withdrawing from the squad due to an ankle injury.

Nigeria vs Egypt third-place playoff will be broadcast live on CAF TV, Channel 4, NTA Sports and SuperSport.