Overview
Egypt's ambition at the 2025 Africa Cup is to conquer the continental championship title for the eighth time in history - the first time since 2010.
Although their performance throughout the tournament was not really convincing, Hossam Hassan's team still went deeper. They defeated Benin with a score of 3-1 after extra time in the round of 16, before defeating Ivory Coast 3-2 on penalties in the quarterfinals - the performance considered the most convincing of Egypt at this year's AFCON.
However, the challenge named Senegal in the semi-finals has exceeded their limit of endurance. Against an opponent with superior squad depth, Egypt was forced to defend persistently and wait for the decisive moment.
When the match seemed to enter extra time, Sadio Mane unleashed the decisive "knife" in the 78th minute, defeating goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. Being led, Egypt could not find a response in the remaining time, thereby officially closing the championship dream of Mohamed Salah and his teammates.
Now, their only remaining goal is a bronze medal - a consolation for a journey of many efforts but unfinished.
In the opposite direction, Nigeria entered the third-place match with overwhelming historical baggage. The "Green Eagles" have won all eight previous encounters with Egypt - a series of achievements creating a significant psychological advantage.
Like their opponent, Nigeria also carries the desire to win the championship, but that dream shattered after a bitter defeat to host Morocco in the semi-finals.
That was the match marking the first time Nigeria could not score at AFCON 2025 - the rare silence of the attack at the most sensitive time. However, they still put the match into a penalty shootout, in the context that many controversial decisions from the referee made Nigerian players feel frustrated.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali once brought hope when successfully saving Hamza Igamane's shot, but immediately after that, Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi successively missed, giving the decision-making power to Youssef En-Nesyri.
The Moroccan striker made no mistake, coldly finished the penalty shootout and brought Atlas Lions to the final right at their home ground of Rabat.
Therefore, Nigeria entered the third-place match in a state of both pain and determination, with the goal of extending the unbeaten streak in the AFCON bronze medal matches to 9.
Personnel situation
Egypt entered the third-place match with significant personnel losses. Center-back Hossam Abdelmaguid was suspended for receiving enough yellow cards, while left-back Mohamed Hamdy suffered a serious knee ligament injury in the match against Benin.
In attack, Salah is the number one striker of Egypt in the finals with 4 goals. However, the possibility of the star from Liverpool playing is still uncertain.
On the Nigerian side, this team also suffered an important loss in defense. Calvin Bassey was suspended after a controversial yellow card in the semi-final match against Morocco, while Cyriel Dessers did not recover from his thigh injury in time.
Positive news for the "Green Eagles" is the return of Wilfred Ndidi after suspension. This key midfielder is expected to help Nigeria control the midfield better.
Expected lineup:
El Shenawy, Hany, Ibrahim, Rabia, Fatouh, Attia, Ashour, Fathy, Marmoush, Trezeguet, Mohamed.
Nwabali, Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Awaziem, Sanusi, Onyeka, Ndidi, Iwobi, Lookman, Adams, Onuachu.
The match between Egypt and Nigeria takes place at 11:00 PM on January 17 (Vietnam time).
