After a 0-0 draw in regular time, the third-place playoff contest was decided by penalties. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerged the hero for Nigeria as the Super Eagles secured the bronze medal after a 4-2 penalty shootout success.
The Chippa United custodian produced two outstanding saves to deny captain Mohamed Salah and forward Omar Marmoush, before Akor Adams, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman converted for the Super Eagles.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru had missed Nigeria’s opening penalty after his weak effort was saved by Egypt custodian Ouba Shobeir. However, Nwabali’s saves to deny Salah and Marmoush, swung the game into Nigeria’s favour, with Lookman converting the decisive kick.
‘I feel great pride in them’
“Being a coach is never easy. At one point I felt disappointed, not because the players fell short, but because they gave everything they had until exhaustion. Today, as I stand here, I feel great pride in them,” Chelle told the media.
“I am very proud to be the coach of the Nigerian national team. This team gave everything - not only in this match, but over the past two months and throughout a full year of continuous work. What we achieved did not come by chance.
“There was a great deal of work done with the players.”
Chelle added: “Building a strong group is not easy; managing different personalities requires calm and patience, but the players responded in the best possible way.
“The players gave everything for me, for the coaching staff, and for the country. I respect them all and am extremely proud of what they delivered.”
The former Mali coach further said he will use the victory against the Pharaohs as foundation for the next phase of building a strong Nigerian side.
“This match is not just a one-night story; it is part of a longer journey that concerns the future of this team. We will build on this experience, and it will be the foundation for the next phase of work,” added Chelle.
“We tried different ideas, tested multiple approaches, and learned from every situation. Some things worked, others did not - but that is how teams develop. What matters most to me is clear: this team has character, commitment, and a strong future ahead.”
Egypt showed great character
Despite the defeat, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan put up a brave face, insisting he was satisfied with the performance and commitment of his players throughout the 2025 edition of the AFCON.
“It was a very evenly matched game against a strong Nigerian team. Both teams were organised and disciplined throughout the match,” said Hassan.
“We managed to control several phases of the game, but in matches like these, things are decided by details. Today, the outcome was determined by penalty kicks.”
He added: “The players showed great character and strong discipline. I am very satisfied with my team’s performance and proud of their commitment and the spirit they displayed till the end.
“Penalty shootouts are part of football. Sometimes they go in your favor and sometimes they don’t, and you have to accept that and keep working.”
The AFCON is set to conclude on Saturday with host nation Morocco taking on Senegal in the final at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
