THE Super Eagles of Nigeria will bid for a ninth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) bronze medal when they take on Egypt, who have won the bronze medal three times previously, this evening in Casablanca.
This will be the 10th meeting between the two sides at the Africa Cup of Nations.
PAST MEETINGS
Overall
Nigeria: P20 W8 D6 L6 GF29 GA24 GD+5
Egypt: P20 W6 D6 L8 GF24 GA29 GD-5
AFCON only
Nigeria: P9 W5 D2 L2 GF12 GA13 GD-1
Egypt: P9 W2 D2 L5 GF13 GA12 GD+1
PAST AFCON MEETINGS
1963 – Group Stage: Egypt 6-3 Nigeria
Nigeria’s first AFCON meeting with Egypt came in the opening match of the 1963 tournament, a nine-goal thriller won 6-3 by Egypt.
The Egyptians raced into a 5-0 lead before Nigeria scored their first goal. Mohamed Morsi Hossein and Hassan Ahmed El-Shazly both scored hat-tricks. Sudan and Egypt progressed to the semi-finals, while Nigeria were eliminated at the group stage.
1976 – Second Group Stage: Nigeria 3-2 Egypt
Nigeria defeated Egypt 3–2 in their final second group-stage match. The result was immaterial, as neither side had a chance of overhauling Guinea or Morocco. Nigeria finished third overall, with Egypt fourth.
1980 – Group Stage: Nigeria 1–0 Egypt
At the 1980 AFCON, with both teams already through to the semi-finals, hosts Nigeria won 1–0 in their final group game to finish as group winners. Nigeria went on to lift the trophy.
1984 – Semi-final: Nigeria 2-2 Egypt (Nigeria won on penalties)
The sides met in the semi-finals, where Egypt surrendered a two-goal lead as the match ended 2-2, with Nigeria advancing on penalties.
1988 – Group Stage: Nigeria 0-0 Egypt
A goalless draw in their final group game saw Nigeria top the group and eliminate Egypt, progressing to the semi-finals.
1990 – Group Stage: Nigeria 1–0 Egypt
Nigeria bounced back from a 5–1 opening loss to hosts Algeria to defeat Egypt 1–0, eliminating Egypt while Nigeria reached the final and finished runners-up.
1994 – Group Stage: Nigeria 0–0 Egypt
Another goalless draw in their final group game saw both teams progress to the quarter-finals. Egypt were eliminated at that stage, while Nigeria went on to lift the trophy.
2010 – Group Stage: Egypt 3-1 Nigeria
After a 16-year wait, the teams met again at AFCON, with Egypt ending a six-game winless run against Nigeria with a 3-1 come-from-behind victory in their opening group match. Nigeria still progressed to the quarter-finals, while Egypt went on to successfully defend their title.
2021 – Group Stage: Nigeria 1-0 Egypt
Nigeria won 1-0, with Kelechi Iheanacho scoring the only goal in the 30th minute. Both teams progressed from the group, Egypt finishing runners-up while Nigeria exited at the Round of 16.
This will be their second meeting at a tournament hosted by Morocco, following their encounter in 1988.
Of their nine AFCON meetings, eight have come in the group stages. In 1976 they met in the second group stage, while they have met seven times in standard group play. In 1963 Egypt progressed, while in 1988 and 1990 Nigeria advanced at Egypt’s expense.
Overall, the sides have met 20 times, with Nigeria winning eight matches, Egypt six, and six ending in draws.
Nigeria won their two most recent AFCON-related meetings prior to Egypt’s latest victory, a friendly international in March 2019 in Asaba and the 2021 AFCON group match, both by 1-0 scorelines.
Egypt won the most recent meeting, a friendly on 16 December 2025. Mahmoud Saber scored in the 28th minute and Mostafa Mohamed in the 53rd, while Chidozie Awaziem scored in first-half stoppage time.
Nigeria’s 2019 friendly win ended a seven-match winless run against Egypt (D3 L4) and was their first victory over Egypt in 29 years, following their 1990 AFCON success.
THIRD PLACE PLAY-OFF HISTORY
Nigeria and Egypt will contest the 32nd AFCON third place play-off.
Across the previous 31 matches, the third place play-off has produced 87 goals at an average of 2.85 per game.
In 13 of the 31 matches, both teams have scored.
Five previous play-offs, in 1988, 1998, 2000, 2015 and 2023, were decided by penalty shoot-outs.
The highest-scoring play-off was in 1998, when Burkina Faso and DR Congo drew 4–4, with DR Congo winning on penalties after Burkina Faso had led 3-0 and 4–1.
The most recent high-scoring play-off ended 3-3 before Cameroon defeated Burkina Faso on penalties, coming back from 3–0 down.
Burkina Faso have twice surrendered three-goal leads and lost on penalties, in 1998 and 2021.
At the last edition, South Africa defeated DR Congo on penalties after a 0–0 draw.
The biggest victory in a third place play-off was Egypt’s 4–0 win over Congo in 1974.
Only in 2015 and 2023 did the play-off end goalless, with DR Congo defeating Equatorial Guinea on penalties in 2015 and losing to South Africa in 2023.
Nigeria – Key Statistics
Eliminated by hosts Morocco in the semi-finals after a 0–0 draw and penalty shoot-out defeat.
Had scored in their previous five matches prior to the semi-final.
Had scored in 12 successive AFCON matches before failing to score against Morocco.
Previously last failed to score in a 1-0 loss to Tunisia in the 2021 Round of 16.
Have scored 14 goals at the current finals, their highest tally at any AFCON edition.
Victory would be Nigeria’s 64th AFCON win, drawing level with Egypt for the most.
The next goal conceded will be their 100th conceded at AFCON.
Have contested seven third place matches at AFCON and won all seven.
Have officially finished third eight times, including 1976 when the tournament used a second group stage.
First contested a third place match in 1978, awarded a 2-0 win after Tunisia walked off in protest.
Beat Cameroon 2-1 in the 1992 third place play-off.
Contested three consecutive third place matches from 2002 to 2006, defeating Mali twice and Senegal once.
Defeated Algeria 1-0 in 2010, with Victor Obinna scoring in the 58th minute.
Last appeared in this match in 2019, beating Tunisia 1-0 through an Odion Ighalo goal.
Have won four third place matches by a 1–0 scoreline.
Six of their seven wins have been by a single goal.
None of their seven third place matches have gone to penalties.
Have finished in the AFCON top three 16 times, more than any other nation.
Victory would mark a 17th top-three finish.
Have taken part in nine penalty shoot-outs at AFCON, winning six and losing three.
Joint-most shoot-out wins alongside Egypt.
Penalty shoot-out defeats came in 2000, 2004 and the current semi-final.
Six of their nine shoot-outs have occurred at the semi-final stage.
Are on a run of 357 minutes without conceding a goal.
Have kept three successive clean sheets.
Conceded in all group games but none in the knockout rounds.
Last kept four successive clean sheets at AFCON in 2023.
Stanley Nwabali made five saves in the semi-final against Morocco.
Calvin Bassey attempted 115 passes, completing 102, the most by any player at the tournament.
Have committed 120 fouls, more than any other team.
Registered just one shot on target against Morocco.
Egypt – Key Statistics
Eliminated in the semi-finals following a 1-0 defeat to Senegal.
Appearing in a third place play-off for the sixth time.
Have won three and lost two previous third place matches.
Won in 1963 (vs Ethiopia), 1970 (vs Côte d’Ivoire) and 1974 (vs Congo).
Lost in 1980 and 1984 to Morocco and Algeria respectively.
This is their second third place match against a West African opponent.
All five previous third place matches produced a winner.
None of their third place matches have gone to penalties.
Third place matches involving Egypt have produced 17 goals at 3.4 per game.
Have scored in four of their five previous third place matches.
Failed to score only in the 1980 loss to Morocco.
Semi-final defeat to Senegal was their first AFCON semi-final loss this century.
Ended a run of seven consecutive semi-final wins.
First appearance in a third place match in the 21st century.
Have conceded five goals at the tournament.
Have kept two clean sheets, both in the group stage.
Are yet to keep a clean sheet in the knockout rounds.
Have conceded four goals in three knockout matches.
Have the fewest clean sheets among the remaining teams.
Failed to register a shot on target in 90 minutes against Senegal.
First shot on target came in stoppage time through Omar Marmoush.
Recorded just three shots in total against Senegal.
Had 36.6% possession in the semi-final.
Have failed to score in two of six matches.
Only Comoros and Botswana have failed to score in more matches.
Marmoush has six shots on target, the most by an Egyptian player.
Mohamed Salah has created 12 chances, the most in the squad.
Have used 26 players at the tournament.
Hamdi Fathy and Yasser Ibrahim have featured in all six matches.
Salah has 11 AFCON goals and could draw level with Hassan El-Shazly as Egypt’s top AFCON scorer.
CAFonline