Nigeria edge Egypt on penalties to claim U-20 AFCON bronze

Nigeria claimed third place at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 after a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout victory over tournament hosts Egypt on Sunday. The third-place playoff at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, before Nigeria kept their nerve in the shootout to secure their fourth bronze medal […]

Nigeria claimed third place at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 after a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout victory over tournament hosts Egypt on Sunday.

The third-place playoff at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, before Nigeria kept their nerve in the shootout to secure their fourth bronze medal in U-20 AFCON history.

It was a clash between two sides aiming to finish the tournament on a high after missing out on the final.

Osama Omar put Egypt ahead early in the third minute, but Nigeria equalised shortly after the restart through Bidemi Amole.

• Alcaraz wins Italian Open, fires Roland Garros warning shot
• Osimhen scores as Galatasaray claim 25th Turkish title with victory

With the game tied 1-1 after 90 minutes, penalties followed. Nigeria were flawless from the spot, converting all four attempts through Emmanuel Chukwu, Ayuma, Arierhi and Maigana.

Egypt’s Mohamed Atef and Ahmed Kabaka both saw their efforts saved by 15-year-old Nigerian goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, who once again showed maturity beyond his years.

The win marked Nigeria’s fifth bronze medal and 14th top-three finish in U-20 AFCON history.

It also continued their impressive record against host nations, beating Egypt for the second straight tournament.

Egypt, meanwhile, failed to extend their perfect record in third-place matches and conceded for the first time at this stage.