LIVE: AFCON 2025 - Rolling updates of today’s action - Nigeria 4-2 Egypt (penalties)
🕖 18:05 GMT – PENALTIES
Alex Iwobi scores for Nigeria, Mahmoud Saber (Egypt) scores.
🕖 18:00 GMT – FULL TIME
The referee blows for full time in Casablanca, bringing the third-place play-off to a close after a fiercely contested encounter. Both sides leave everything on the pitch as AFCON 2025 edges closer to its grand finale.We now go for penalties to decide the winner of the match.
🕕 17:50 GMT
Final minutes approaching. Nigeria continue to probe, while Egypt attempt to run down the clock and protect their shape.
🕕 17:40 GMT
Nigeria look the more urgent side in the closing stages, but Egypt’s defence holds firm. The tempo remains intense as the clock continues to tick down.
🕕 17:30 GMT
The match opens up slightly as fatigue begins to show. Spaces appear between the lines, and both sides are now committing more players forward.
🕕 17:20 GMT
Egypt absorb the pressure well and begin to slow the game again. A period of calm possession allows them to regain control and settle any nerves.
🕔 17:09 GMT – SECOND-HALF
Nigeria make some changes at the start of the second half with Ademola Lookman coming on for Onuachu. And quickly Lookman find the net but the referee rules it out for offside before he scored.
🕔 16:53 GMT – HALF-TIME
The referee brings the first half to an end. It has been a competitive, evenly balanced opening 45 minutes, with neither side able to find a breakthrough so far. Everything remains to play for after the interval.
🕓 16:50 GMT
The first half is becoming more tactical. Nigeria remain the more direct side, while Egypt are patient, probing for space and trying to slow the rhythm of the game.
🕓 16:45 GMT
Egypt grow into the match, enjoying a spell of sustained possession in midfield. Salah drops deeper to collect the ball, attempting to dictate play and link up attacks.
🕓 16:40 GMT
Nigeria threaten on the counter. Paul Onuachu races onto a through ball but is crowded out by two Egyptian defenders just inside the box. Strong defensive discipline from Egypt so far.
🕓 16:39 GMT - NO GOAL NIGERIA
No Goal! Egypt 0, Nigeria 0. Nigeria thought they had taken the lead from Akor Adams' header but the referee goes for a VAR review and disallows the goal following a foul in the build up to the goal.
🕓 16:30 GMT
Egypt grow into the match, enjoying a spell of sustained possession in midfield. Salah drops deeper to collect the ball, attempting to dictate play and link up attacks.
🕓 16:20 GMT
First real moment of danger. Nigeria win a free-kick in a promising area, but Egypt deal comfortably with the delivery. The tempo is high, with both teams keen to avoid a slow, cagey contest.
🕓 16:10 GMT
A lively start in Casablanca. Nigeria have enjoyed more of the early possession, with Victor Osimhen stretching Egypt’s back line, while the Pharaohs are sitting compact and looking to break quickly through Mohamed Salah.
🕓 16:05 GMT – KICK-OFF
The third-place play-off is underway at the Stade Mohammed V. Egypt get the match started, with Nigeria pressing high from the opening seconds as both sides look to impose themselves early.
🕔 16:00 GMT – KICK-OFF
The teams are out on the pitch, national anthems complete, and kick-off is moments away in Casablanca. Egypt and Nigeria are set to battle for AFCON 2025 bronze, with pride, history and momentum all on the line. You can follow the live play-by-play by clicking here
🕒 15:50 GMT
Fans continue to stream into the stands, with seating in the lower tiers beginning to fill up. The atmosphere is building steadily inside Stade Mohammed V.
🕒 15:40 GMT
Nigeria’s attacking duo of Akor and Onuachu are highlighted on the stadium screens, while Egypt’s focus remains firmly on Salah’s influence in the final third.
🕒 15:30 GMT
Warm-up schedules are confirmed. Both teams are fielding strong line-ups, with neither coach treating this as a consolation fixture.
Dressing rooms of Egypt and Nigeria. All ready for the 3rd place match! 💪#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/hF3NpFcdI6
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 17, 2026
🕒 15:20 GMT
Historical note: Nigeria have won all seven AFCON third-place matches they have contested, while Egypt have lifted the bronze medal three times in their history. The line up for both teams are in:
The starting XIs for today’s encounter. 🇪🇬🇳🇬#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/th1TqsrYu0
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 17, 2026
🕒 15:10 GMT
CAF match officials begin their routine briefing. Today’s fixture offers a chance for both sides to restore momentum after narrow semi-final defeats.
🕒 15:00 GMT
Egypt’s team bus pulls in to a warm reception from travelling supporters. Captain Mohamed Salah is seen smiling as he enters the venue, with the Liverpool forward still chasing the Golden Boot.
🕑 14:50 GMT
Nigeria’s delegation arrives at the stadium hotel under tight security. Head coach Éric Chelle has urged focus, describing the match as “unfinished business” after the semi-final penalty heartbreak against Morocco.
🕑 14:40 GMT
Broadcast teams are setting up around the stadium as global TV audiences prepare to tune in. This will be the 10th AFCON meeting between Egypt and Nigeria, renewing one of African football’s most storied rivalries.
🕑 14:30 GMT
CAF confirms that the pitch at Stade Mohammed V is in excellent condition after overnight maintenance. Weather conditions in Casablanca are mild, ideal for football, with no rain forecast.
🕑 14:20 GMT
Early Nigerian supporters are making their presence felt, waving green-and-white flags and singing traditional chants. Egypt’s fans are also arriving in numbers, hoping to see the Pharaohs finish the tournament on the podium.
🕑 14:10 GMT
Security checks are fully operational outside the stadium as CAF officials complete final inspections. Despite this being a third-place match, interest remains high, underlining the stature of both teams and the pride at stake.
🕑 14:00 GMT
Welcome back to Casablanca as preparations continue for today’s third-place play-off at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations. The Stade Mohammed V is already a hive of activity ahead of Egypt vs Nigeria, with fans beginning to gather around the stadium precinct.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live blog coverage of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations here in Morocco, where continental pride is on the line in today’s third-place play-off.
As the tournament reaches its closing stages, we bring you minute-by-minute updates, key moments and essential context from Casablanca as Egypt take on Nigeria for the bronze medal.
The group stage of AFCON 2025 delivered drama, goals and surprises, with traditional heavyweights asserting their authority and emerging sides pushing them to the limit, setting the tone for an unforgettable knockout phase.
Although both teams narrowly missed out on the final, today’s clash offers a final opportunity to end the tournament on a high and underline their pedigree on Africa’s biggest football stage.
We will be bringing you live updates in blog format every ten minutes, from pre-match build-up through kick-off and all the way to the final whistle, keeping you fully across the action as it unfolds.
All timings in this live blog are in GMT, so stay with us as we guide you through another compelling chapter of AFCON 2025.
🏁 FULL-TIME & SHOOT-OUT – NIGERIA CLAIM BRONZE
That brings an end to today’s live coverage from Casablanca. Thank you for following our blog updates throughout the day.
👉 Attention now turns to Sunday’s grand finale, where hosts Morocco face former champions Senegal in the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations final — a fitting climax to a tournament that has delivered drama, quality and unforgettable moments from start to finish.
Good night, and join us again for the final chapter of AFCON 2025 🇲🇦🏆
🕖 18:25 GMT – NIGERIA WIN BRONZE MEDAL
Nigeria have finished the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 on the podium after edging Egypt 4–2 on penalties to win the third-place play-off in Casablanca.
After 120 minutes of tense, scoreless football in which both sides could not score, the match was decided from the spot.
Stanley Nwabali emerged as the hero for the Super Eagles, producing crucial saves during the shoot-out to tilt the contest Nigeria’s way. The Chippa United goalkeeper was deservedly named TotalEnergies CAF Man of the Match, capping an outstanding tournament with another commanding performance under pressure.
The victory extends Nigeria’s remarkable record in AFCON third-place matches, with the Super Eagles maintaining a 100% success rate in bronze-medal play-offs.
It also provides a fitting conclusion to a strong campaign in which Nigeria won five matches, scored freely and once again underlined their status as one of Africa’s most consistent tournament sides.
For Egypt, it was another night of fine margins. The Pharaohs battled until the end but fell short in a familiar penalty shoot-out scenario, bringing their Morocco 2025 journey to a close just outside the medals.