Egypt 0-0 Nigeria, AFCON Third-Place Match: Nwabali Denies Salah As Super Eagles Win On Penalties

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties, including the first from Mohamed Salah, for Nigeria to beat Egypt 4-2 in a penalty shootout for third place at the Africa Cup Nations on Saturday (January 17, 2026). Ademola Lookman scored the winning penalty. Salah and Omar Marmoush had their penalty kicks saved by Nwabali at the start of the shootout after the teams drew 0-0 in normal time. No extra time was played for the consolation of a bronze medal. It was the Super Eagles’ second consecutive penalty shootout following a scoreless draw after losing the semi-final to Morocco on penalties on Wednesday.

Updated on: 18 January 2026 5:11 pm

Nigeria national team react after winning on penalties during the Africa Cup of Nations third place game between Egypt and Nigeria in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Nigeria's goalkeeper Francis Uzoho celebrates after winning on penalties during the Africa Cup of Nations third place game between Egypt and Nigeria in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Egypt's Mohamed Salah reacts after his penalty kick was saved during the Africa Cup of Nations third place game between Egypt and Nigeria in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Egypt's Ramy Rabiaa, bottom, vies for the ball with Nigeria's Samuel Chukwueze during the Africa Cup of Nations third place game between Egypt and Nigeria in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Nigeria's Igoh Ogbu heads the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations third place game between Egypt and Nigeria in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Egypt's Mohanad Lasheen is challenged by Nigeria's Bruno Onyemaechi during the Africa Cup of Nations third place game between Egypt and Nigeria in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Morocco Africa Cup of Nations Soccer: Egypt vs Nigeria

Egypt's Mohamed Salah in action during the Africa Cup of Nations third place game between Egypt and Nigeria in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Morocco Africa Cup of Nations Soccer: Nigeria vs Egypt

Nigeria's Akor Adams celebrates after scoring a goal which was later disallowed, during the Africa Cup of Nations third place game between Egypt and Nigeria in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Africa Cup of Nations third place game: Egypt vs Nigeria

Egypt's Khaled Sobhi and Nigeria's Samuel Chukwueze compete for the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations third place game between Egypt and Nigeria in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

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Africa Cup of Nations third place game: Nigeria vs Egypt

Egypt's Mohamed Salah is challenged by Nigeria's Raphael Onyedika during the Africa Cup of Nations third place game between Egypt and Nigeria in Casablanca, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe