CASABLANCA: Nigeria secured third place at the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, defeating Egypt 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw in the bronze medal match at Casablanca’s Stade Mohamed V.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was the hero in the shootout, saving efforts from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush to hand Nigeria the victory.
Nigeria had the ball in the net twice during regulation time, but both goals were ruled out. Paul Onuachu’s first-half effort was disallowed after a VAR review confirmed he had elbowed defender Hamdi Fathy, while substitute Ademola Lookman saw his second-half strike chalked off for offside.
The result marked Nigeria’s ninth third-place finish at the Cup of Nations, underlining their consistency at Africa’s premier international tournament.
