AFCON 2025: Osimhen, Lookman benched as S’Eagles battle Egypt for bronze

The Super Eagles of Nigeria face off against Egypt’s Pharaohs today in the third-place playoff of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, battling for bronze at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca after both sides suffered heartbreaking semi-final exits.

Nigeria, chasing a record ninth AFCON bronze medal and boasting a perfect 8-0 record in previous third-place matches, 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 (stepping in for the suspended Calvin Bassey), Semi Ajayi, and Bruno Onyemaechi.

Midfield duties fall to Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika, with Moses Simon (captaining the side) and Samuel Chukwueze providing width on the flanks.

Starting XI:
Nwabali (23); Osayi (2), M. Oho (5), Ajayi (6), Bruno (13); D. Bashiru (10), Onyedika (18); Chukwueze (11), Simon (15); Onuachu (19), Akor (22).

Substitutes:
Uzoho, Zaidu, Lookman, Onyeka, Osimhen, Usman, Iwobi, Amas, Akinsamiro, Alebiosu, Awaziem, Ejuke, Fago, Nnadi.

The Super Eagles topped Group C with a perfect record, defeating Tanzania 2-1, Tunisia 3-2, and Uganda 3-1 (8 goals scored, 4 conceded).

They stormed through the knockouts with a 4-0 rout of Mozambique in the Round of 16 and a 2-0 win over Algeria in the quarter-finals.

Their semi-final against hosts Morocco ended 0-0 after 120 minutes, but they fell 4-2 on penalties despite heroic saves from Nwabali, with Yassine Bounou denying Bruno Onyemaechi crucially.

Egypt, the record seven-time champions, topped Group B with wins over Zimbabwe (2-1) and South Africa (1-0), plus a 0-0 draw with Angola (3 goals scored, 1 conceded). They advanced past Benin 3-1 (after extra time) 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, courtesy of Sadio Mané’s decisive strike—the Pharaohs’ first semi-final defeat in over two decades.

This marks Egypt’s seventh third-place playoff appearance (with three prior bronzes), while Nigeria aims to extend their unbreakable streak in the fixture.

Culled from punch