Super Eagles Seeking to Extend 100% AFCON Third-Place Record

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will step onto the pitch at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca on Saturday determined to preserve their flawless record in Africa Cup of Nations bronze-medal matches as they lock horns with the Pharaohs of Egypt in a battle for third place at the 35th edition of the tournament.

The Eagles, who have never lost a third-place playoff in AFCON history, boast eight bronze medals compared to Egypt’s six.

Victory will not only extend Nigeria’s 100 percent record but also widen the gap between the two continental giants in the all-time standings.

Remarkably, Nigeria’s first bronze came at Egypt’s expense in Addis Ababa in 1976, when Haruna Ilerika struck twice and Mudashiru Lawal added another in a 3-2 triumph. Their most recent came in Cairo in 2019, when Odion Ighalo’s second-minute goal was enough to edge Tunisia.

Nigeria’s bronze-medal pedigree also includes triumphs in 1978 (awarded after Tunisia abandoned the match), 1992 (2-1 win over Cameroon in Dakar), 2002 (1-0 win over hosts Mali in Mopti), 2004 (2-1 win over Mali in Monastir), 2006 (1-0 win over Senegal in Cairo), and 2010 (1-0 win over Algeria in Benguela.

This year, the Super Eagles arrive at the playoff with 14 goals scored in six matches, unbeaten in regulation time, and still smarting from their semi-final exit on penalties in Rabat.

Encouragement from fans and officials has lifted morale, with the team training in Casablanca on Thursday and scheduled for their official session at Raja Oasis on Friday evening.

Egypt, meanwhile, fell to Senegal’s Lions of Teranga in Tangier, leaving Mohamed Salah still chasing the elusive AFCON gold medal. Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen shares that frustration, but both stars now have the chance to salvage pride with a bronze.

Saturday’s clash will be the 25th senior-level meeting between Nigeria and Egypt, and their 10th at the AFCON. Nigeria have won five of the previous nine, with two draws, including scoreless stalemates in Rabat in 1988 and Tunis in 1994.

Their most memorable duel came in Abidjan in 1984, when Nigeria fought back from two goals down to level through Stephen Keshi’s penalty and Bala Ali’s header, before winning 8-7 on penalties. Their most recent AFCON meeting was in Garoua in January 2022, when Kelechi Iheanacho’s first-half strike secured victory for Nigeria.