LunagisthubAFCON 2025: Nigeria Takes on Egypt in Third-Place Playoff
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face off against Egypt’s Pharaohs in the third-place playoff of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations today, January 17, 2026, at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca. Both teams are looking to end their tournament on a high note after suffering heartbreaking semi-final exits .
Nigeria is chasing a record ninth AFCON bronze medal and boasts a perfect 8-0 record in previous third-place matches. The team has named a rotated lineup, with star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman surprisingly starting on the bench. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali retains his spot, shielded by a backline of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Igoh Ogbu, Semi Ajayi, and Bruno Onyemaechi .
Egypt, the record seven-time champions, topped Group B with wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa, plus a 0-0 draw with Angola. They advanced past Benin 3-1 in the Round of 16 and stunned defending champions Ivory Coast 3-2 in the quarters. Their semi-final ended in a narrow 1-0 loss to Senegal .
Nigeria holds a slight edge over Egypt in recent AFCON meetings, particularly in decisive matches. The two teams have met 20 times, with Nigeria winning eight matches, Egypt six, and six ending in draws .
The third-place playoff match promises to be an exciting encounter between two of Africa’s most decorated national teams. Both teams will look to end their continental campaigns on a positive note ahead of next year’s World Cup qualifiers and other international fixtures. The match kicks off at 6:00 p.m. Cairo time, and fans can watch it live on official sports broadcasters and verified streaming platforms in their region.
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