Nigeria vs Egypt: AFCON 2025 Third-Place Preview — Team Updates Head-to-Head & Broadcast Info

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Egyptian Pharaohs will face off on Saturday at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca, with both teams determined to end their 2025 AFCON campaign on a strong note. Pride, history, and momentum are all at stake as they battle for the bronze medal.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 5 pm Nigerian time, with both sides eager to bounce back from disappointing semi-final defeats.

According to Gossip News Now , Nigeria’s perfect run in the tournament came to an abrupt end when host nation Morocco defeated them in a tense semi-final that offered very few scoring opportunities. The Eagles could only muster two attempts over 120 minutes before losing 4–2 in a penalty shootout after a goalless affair—an outcome that felt harsh after a disciplined defensive performance.

Egypt, meanwhile, suffered a 1–0 loss to Senegal in Tangier, with a late strike from Sadio Mane deciding the contest.

Despite the setbacks, Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has urged his team to regain focus and finish strong. On the other side, Egypt’s Hossam Hassan considers this match an important step in his team’s preparation for the upcoming World Cup, where they will compete in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran.

A key highlight of the encounter is the duel between Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen—both on four goals and trailing tournament top scorer Brahim Diaz by just one.

This fixture marks the 10th AFCON meeting between the two countries. Nigeria won their most recent AFCON encounter 1–0 in the 2021 group stage and hold a perfect record in third-place matches, winning all eight they have contested.

Head-to-Head Statistics

All-Time Meetings (20 matches)

Nigeria: 8 wins | 6 draws | 6 losses — GF 29, GA 24 (GD +5)
Egypt: 6 wins | 6 draws | 8 losses — GF 24, GA 29 (GD -5)

AFCON Meetings Only (9 matches)

Nigeria: 5 wins | 2 draws | 2 losses — GF 12, GA 13
Egypt: 2 wins | 2 draws | 5 losses — GF 13, GA 12

In total, both nations have met 20 times. Nigeria has eight victories, Egypt has six, and six matches ended in draws. Nigeria also secured back-to-back 1–0 wins in recent AFCON-related meetings, including the 2021 group-stage clash.

Egypt won the latest encounter—a friendly on December 16, 2025—with Mahmoud Saber scoring in the 28th minute and Mostafa Mohamed adding another after the break. Chidozie Awaziem scored late in the first half for Nigeria.

Nigeria’s 2019 friendly win in Asaba ended a seven-game winless streak against Egypt and marked their first victory over the Pharaohs since the 1990 AFCON final.

Team News: Nigeria vs Egypt

Egypt Team Updates:

Trezeguet returned from injury in the semi-final and is expected to feature again.
Mohamed Hamdi failed a fitness test ahead of the semi-final and remains doubtful.
Hossam Abdelmaguid is suspended due to yellow-card accumulation.
Mohamed Hamdy continues recovery from a knee injury.
Coach Hassan is likely to maintain most of the same starting XI, depending on player fatigue.

Nigeria Team Updates:

Captain Wilfred Ndidi returns after missing the semi-final through suspension.
Calvin Bassey is suspended following a booking against Morocco.
Victor Osimhen’s fitness is uncertain after he was substituted during extra time due to discomfort.
Ryan Alebiosu continues to manage fitness concerns.
Cyriel Dessers has been ruled out after sustaining an ankle injury.