Neither Nigeria’s Super Eagles nor the Pharaohs of Egypt will approach Saturday’s bronze-medal match of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations with indifference, as both sides look to end their campaigns on a positive note.
The two continental heavyweights, who arrived in Morocco with strong title ambitions, saw their hopes dashed at the semi-final stage. Egypt were defeated by Senegal in Tangier, while Nigeria fell to hosts Morocco via penalties in Rabat.
Saturday’s third-place encounter at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca offers both teams an opportunity for redemption. Nigeria, unbeaten in regulation time and with 14 goals from six matches, will feel particularly aggrieved not to be contesting the final, but the team has regrouped following encouraging messages from supporters and officials.
Historically, Nigeria and Egypt are the most successful bronze-medal winners at the AFCON, with eight and six third-place finishes respectively. Nigeria has never lost a bronze-medal match and claimed their first bronze at Egypt’s expense in 1976. Their most recent bronze came in 2019 after a narrow win over Tunisia.
The fixture will mark the 25th senior-level meeting between both sides and their 10th clash at the Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria have won five of the previous nine AFCON encounters, including a memorable semi-final comeback victory in 1984.
Kick-off is set for 5pm, with pride, history and continental bragging rights at stake for both teams.
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