Stanley Nawabali denied Mohamed Salah by saving two penalties as Nigeria finished third to Egypt at the 2025 AFCON.
Published on January 17, 2026
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties, including Mohamed Salah’s first penalty, for Nigeria to beat Egypt 4-2 in a penalty shootout to clinch third place in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ademola Lookman scored the winning penalty in Saturday’s match.
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After a 0-0 draw in normal time, Salah and Omar Marmoush saved penalty kicks early in the shootout. No extra time was played for the bronze medal consolation.
It was the Super Eagles’ second penalty shootout in a row after losing to Morocco on penalties in the semi-final on Wednesday and being held to a goalless draw.
Nawabali produced a strong hand to save a well-taken penalty from Salah, then deflected Marmoosh’s effort straight into the middle with his feet.
Salah was kept quiet by Nigeria’s defenders and couldn’t quite add to his 11 goals in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Victor Osimhen remained on the substitutes’ bench for Nigeria, suggesting he was injured in the semi-final defeat to Morocco. Osimhen was sent off in extra time of that game before the penalty shootout.
The Super Eagles ended the Africa Cup of Nations on a positive note in contrast to the last edition, where they lost to hosts Ivory Coast in the final.
The final will be played between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat on Sunday. Sadio Mane’s goal was enough to give Senegal a 1-0 win over Egypt in the semi-finals.