Super Eagles clinch AFCON bronze after penalty shootout victory over Egypt
Story by Tawheed Yakub
Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured the bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after defeating Egypt 4–2 on penalties following a tense encounter that ended goalless at regulation time.
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The third-place playoff, played amid high intensity and tactical discipline from both sides, saw Nigeria and Egypt cancel each other out through 90 minutes, with goalkeepers and defenders playing key roles to deny scoring opportunities.
With no extra time required under competition rules, the match went straight to a penalty shootout. The Super Eagles held their nerve from the spot, converting four penalties, while Egypt missed two of their attempts, handing Nigeria the victory.
Nigeria’s goalkeeper emerged as a crucial figure during the shootout, making decisive saves that swung momentum in favour of the West Africans. The result marked a strong finish to Nigeria’s AFCON campaign after narrowly missing out on a place in the final.
The bronze medal win also reinforced Nigeria’s reputation as one of Africa’s most consistent footballing nations, while offering encouragement ahead of future international competitions.
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Egypt, seven-time AFCON champions, were left to rue missed chances and penalty errors as they settled for fourth place.
The Super Eagles’ triumph was celebrated by fans at home and abroad, closing the tournament on a positive note for the Nigerian team.
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