Nigeria edge Egypt on penalties to claim U-20 AFCON bronze
Nigeria claimed third place at the 2025 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations after a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout victory over tournament hosts Egypt on Sunday.
The third-place playoff at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, before Nigeria kept their nerve in the shootout to secure their fifth bronze medal in U-20 AFCON history.
It was a clash between two sides aiming to finish the tournament on a high after missing out on the final.
Osama Omar put Egypt ahead early in the third minute, but Nigeria equalised shortly after the restart through Bidemi Amole.
With no extra time played in the third-place match, penalties were required, and the Flying Eagles converted all four of their spot-kicks, while Egypt missed two.
Egypt made a dream start, silencing the Nigerian bench just three minutes into the contest.
Osama Omar lashed in a clinical finish from close range after Mahmoud Labib’s cut-back created chaos in the Nigerian box.
Despite conceding early, Nigeria gradually settled, dominating possession and carving out numerous chances.
Clinton Jephta and Precious Benjamin tested Egyptian goalkeeper Abdel Monem Tamer, while Israel Ayuma’s long-range efforts failed to find the target.
Just two minutes into the second half, Nigeria’s pressure paid off.
A precise through ball from Divine Oliseh found Amole, who kept his composure to slot home the equaliser.
The Flying Eagles pushed for a winner, with substitute Tahir Maigana and Kparobo Arierhi adding energy in attack.
Egypt, however, nearly snatched victory in stoppage time as Mohamed El Sayed struck the bar, and Mohamed Haitham hit the post in a frantic finale.
With the game tied 1-1 after 90 minutes, penalties followed.
Nigeria were flawless from the spot, converting all four attempts through Emmanuel Chukwu, Ayuma, Arierhi and Maigana.
Egypt’s Mohamed Atef and Ahmed Kabaka saw their efforts saved by 15-year-old Nigerian goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, who once again showed maturity.
The win marked Nigeria’s fifth bronze medal and 14th top-three finish in U-20 AFCON history.
It also continued their impressive record against host nations, beating Egypt for the second straight tournament.
(NAN)
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