By Ben Efe 17.1.2026
Nigeria’s Super Eagles for once banished their penalty shootout demons and slotted in four of their five kicks to beat Egypt’s Pharaohs 4-2 in Saturday’s third place match of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Stanley Nwabali saved Mohammed Salah’s low shot to the left with his foot and also denied Omar Marmoush to spare Nigerian fans another night of cursing and hissing after Fisayo Dele Bashiru had his opening shot at goal saved by Mostafa Shobeir who tried desperately to distract the Super Eagles penalty takers.
But that did not work as Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Adams Akor and Simon Moses made no mistake from the spot.
The full-time score was goal less in a game dominated by the Super Eagles but had nothing to show for their efforts. Adams Akor had his headed goal disallowed after VAR determined that Paul Onuachu elbowed Ramy Rabia in the face, though it wasn’t intentional.
Before that moment of joy was punctuated Nwabali made a saved from a point-blank shot by Salah to keep the Super Eagles in the game and protect their record of never losing this a third-place match, making it nine victories in a row.
