Nigeria, Egypt Clash for AFCON Bronze in Casablanca

Two giants of African football, Nigeria and Egypt, will meet on Saturday in Casablanca for the AFCON 2025 bronze-medal match, aiming to salvage pride after tough semi-final exits.

The Super Eagles were held to a goalless draw by hosts Morocco, eventually losing in a penalty shootout, while Egypt fell 1–0 to Senegal in Tangier. Both sides, with a combined total of ten AFCON titles, arrived in Morocco hoping for continental glory, making the third-place match a key opportunity to end the tournament on a high.

For Nigeria, the tournament has seen strong performances, with 14 goals in six matches and an unbeaten run in regulation time. Head coach Éric Chelle has focused training on composure and sharpness, reminding players of Nigeria’s flawless record in AFCON third-place matches, having won all seven previous play-offs. A win would also give Nigeria its ninth bronze medal, equalling Egypt in total AFCON victories at 64 wins each.

Egypt, meanwhile, is determined to recover from their first AFCON semi-final defeat this century. Led by Mohamed Salah, who is closing in on the national scoring record, the Pharaohs aim to finish the tournament strongly and reaffirm their elite status in African football.

The bronze-medal clash will mark the 25th senior-level meeting between Nigeria and Egypt, including the 10th encounter at the Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria holds a slight edge in AFCON encounters, winning five of nine matches, while Egypt has won the most recent friendly in December 2025.

Kick-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. local time at Stade Mohamed V, with both sides expected to field disciplined line-ups, balancing defensive solidity and attacking creativity.

The match promises drama, history, and the chance for either side to end AFCON 2025 on a celebratory note, adding another chapter to one of Africa’s fiercest football rivalries.