Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face the Pharaohs of Egypt in the third-place match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on Saturday.

It is an opportunity for either Egypt or Nigeria to salvage something from their campaigns at the tournament following semi-final heartbreaks.

Journey at AFCON 2025

Super Eagles began their campaign in Morocco with a 2-1 win over Tanzania in the first group stage game, before following it up with a dominant 3-2 win over Tunisia in the second. Nigeria concluded the group stage phase, defeating Uganda 3-1.

In the knockout phase, Nigeria thrashed Mozambique 4-0 in the round of 16 before a statement-making 2-0 win over Algeria in the quarter-finals. However, Nigeria’s dream of winning the tournament after 13 years ended on Wednesday with a 4-2 loss to host nation Morocco in the semi-final.

Nigeria has one of the best attacking records in the tournament, scoring 14 goals so far, while conceding four in the process, all in the group stage.

The Pharaohs won their first game at the AFCON 2-1 against Tanzania before a narrow 1-0 win over South Africa in the second group match. However, Egypt were held to a goalless draw by Angola in their last group-stage match.

Egypt secured a comfortable 3-1 against the Benin Republic in the round of 16 to book a quarterfinal clash with reigning champions Ivory Coast, in which the Pharaohs fought hard to win 3-2.

They fell short at reaching the final after Sadio Mane’s lone goal for Senegal in their semi-final tie ended Egypt’s push for a record-extending eight AFCON titles.

Head-to-head record

Past results across the AFCON, friendly matches, and qualifiers significantly favour Nigeria heading into Saturday’s game, with the Super Eagles winning nine of the 20 matches against the Pharaohs.

Egypt have won the encounter six times, while five matches have ended in a draw.

AFCON success

Nigeria has won the AFCON three times, with the most recent triumph being in 2013 when the Super Eagles lifted the trophy in South Africa.

The Eagles also hold the joint record for the most runner-up finishes at the tournament with Ghana, which have both finished five times. The most recent was in the last edition in Ivory Coast, where they lost 2-1 to the host in the final.

In addition, Nigeria have the most third-place wins at the AFCON with nine continental bronze medals.

The Egyptians have the most titles (seven) at the AFCON, with the most recent in 2010. They finished as runners-up in the tournament three times and as bronze medal winners three times.

What coaches are saying

Speaking ahead of the match, Egypt’s head coach Hossam Hassan said, “The game (against Nigeria) is different, and the opponent is different with different game plans. I hope tomorrow’s game will enable us to prepare for the World Cup, but we also want to win this game.

“It is going to be a tough game against a formidable force. We are training for the game against Nigeria. They are a great squad that made it to the semifinal. We are going to put up a good fight tomorrow and hopefully we win a bronze medal.”

Nigeria’s gaffer, Eric Chelle, noted that the third-place match would be “a good game”.

“We have to find a way to win this game,” said Chelle.