Ademola Lookman scored the decisive penalty as Nigeria defeated Egypt 4–2 in a shoot-out to claim third place at the Africa Cup of Nations, following a goalless draw on Saturday, 17 January 2026, in Casablanca.
The victory at the Stade Mohammed V offered consolation for the Super Eagles after recent shoot-out heartbreaks, having lost on penalties in a 2026 World Cup play-off against DR Congo last November and again in the AFCON semi-final against hosts Morocco earlier this week.
Nigeria maintained their perfect record in AFCON third-place play-offs, winning all eight matches they have contested at this stage of the tournament.
In the shoot-out, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria’s opening kick, but Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi and Lookman all converted to put the Super Eagles beyond reach. Egypt faltered when Premier League stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both saw their efforts saved by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored Egypt’s only penalties.
Both teams made multiple changes following their semi-final defeats, with Egypt making six alterations and Nigeria five. Salah started for the Pharaohs, while regular first-choice goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and Marmoush were named among the substitutes. For Nigeria, attackers Victor Osimhen and Lookman began on the bench.
Despite being played in Morocco, much of the 45,000-strong crowd backed Nigeria, a reflection of the long-standing rivalry between Morocco and Egypt at both club and international level.
The match itself was evenly balanced. Nigeria had the better of the early exchanges before Egypt enjoyed a spell of control, but neither side could find a breakthrough in a cautious first half played in cool, cloudy conditions.
Paul Onuachu appeared to give Nigeria the lead in the 36th minute when he headed past Mostafa Shobeir, but a VAR review ruled the goal out after Onuachu was judged to have accidentally elbowed Hamdy Fathy in the build-up.
Lookman was introduced at half-time and thought he had scored within a minute of the restart, only for the effort to be disallowed for offside. Nigeria applied sustained pressure after the break, forcing Shobeir — son of former Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir — into several saves.
Salah was largely contained, while Marmoush was introduced just after the hour mark in an attempt to sharpen Egypt’s attack. Victor Osimhen, however, remained on the bench throughout, raising questions about his fitness.
Both sides had late chances, with Adams and Marmoush going close in quick succession, but the deadlock remained unbroken. A free-kick opportunity for Salah in the closing stages came to nothing, as he fired straight into the wall.
The match ultimately went to penalties, where Lookman’s calm finish ensured Nigeria ended their AFCON campaign on a winning note.
