Former Nigerian international and Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo has tipped the Super Eagles to overcome the Pharaohs of Egypt in their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations third-place play-off this Saturday. Nigeria enters the bronze-medal fixture following a heart-wrenching semi-final exit against host nation Morocco, where a goalless 120 minutes led to a 4-2 penalty shootout defeat.
Unsuccessful spot-kicks from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi ended Nigeria’s hopes for a fourth title, leaving the team to compete for a podium finish at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.
Ighalo, who currently serves as a tournament analyst for SuperSport, emphasized that while a third-place match often carries a bittersweet atmosphere, it represents a vital opportunity for the team to regain its footing and finish the campaign on a positive note.
Drawing from his personal experience during the 2019 edition—where Nigeria also faced semi-final disappointment before clinching bronze—the veteran forward believes the squad must harness their frustration to satisfy a expectant fanbase back home.
“I know they don’t want to play third-place, but it’s still a chance to fight for a bronze. I was there in 2019 too. I was sad against Algeria in the semi final, but this is what it is. Egypt wants to redeem themselves, to get something going back home. So I want Nigeria to go all out with that game, to try to win, to get something back home too. I believe Nigeria will do well in that game and try to win, because they don’t have anything to appease the fans back home. Now they’re not going to the World Cup. They are not playing the final, so they only have this chance now to redeem themselves. They’ll win that third place,” Ighalo remarked during his punditry session.
Egypt arrives at the third-place fixture after their own narrow semi-final defeat, a 1-0 loss to defending champions Senegal decided by a clinical strike from Sadio Mané. The result sets up a monumental clash between two of Africa’s most successful footballing nations, both seeking a redemptive victory before departing Morocco. While the Atlas Lions and Teranga Lions prepare for the grand finale on Sunday, the Nigeria-Egypt rivalry adds a layer of prestige to the consolation match, as both sides aim to salvage national pride.
The Super Eagles must quickly address the tactical lapses that hindered their scoring during the semi-final, as they face an Egyptian side known for its defensive organization. Ighalo’s confidence in the team stems from the squad’s earlier performances in the group stages, where they showcased the most potent attack in the competition. As the 4:00 PM GMT kickoff approaches, the former Wolves attacker remains adamant that a win on Saturday is the only acceptable outcome for a team that missed out on the final and a spot in the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
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