The Super Eagles won their ninth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) bronze medal after defeating Egypt 4-2 in a penalty shootout in Saturday’s third-place game at the Casablanca’s Mohammed V Stadium.
The Egyptian had the first taste of the Super Eagles goalpost in the 2nd minute after a quick pass from the North African caught the Nigerian defense napping, but Stanley Nwabali was quick to save the ball.
The three-time AFCON champions had their first shot on target in the 13th minute thanks to Akor Adams’ low drive shot that was calmly saved by Egypt goalkeeper Khaled Sobhi.
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In the 26th minute, a quick interchange of passes between two Egyptian players found Mohamed Salah in Nigeria’s 18-yard box, but he couldn’t beat the Chippa United goalkeeper.
The Super Eagles broke the deadlock in the 35th minute through Adams’ header, for his third goal of the competition. However, the goal was cancelled by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) due to Paul Onuachu’s elbow on an Egyptian defender. He was also shown a yellow card for the incident.
Nigeria had another opportunity to open the first goal after a through pass found Adams in the 42nd minute, but the ball was intercepted by Ramy Rabia.
At the start of the second half, an outside shot from Onyedika was saved by the Egyptian goalkeeper before another shot from Simon a few minutes later failed to threaten the goalkeeper.
In the 59th minute, a long-range shot from Mostafa Mohamed went way wide of the goalpost to keep the scoreline goalless.
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Adams could have broken the deadlock in the 78th minute, but a push from behind from an Egyptian defender denied the Sevilla striker a goal-scoring opportunity. However, there was a VAR check to determine if there was a push on Adams from behind, which was later waved off.
All attempts for both teams to score the winning goal proved abortive after 90 minutes, sending the game to a penalty shootout.
The Super Eagles won the penalty shootout 4-2 to claim their ninth AFCON bronze medal.
MATCH STATISTICS
Nigeria 0-0 Egypt
GOAL SCORERS: NIGERIA
Nil
GOAL SCORER: EGYPT
Nill
LINE-UP: NIGERIA
Stanley Nwabali
Osayi-Samuel
Semi Ajayi
John Ogbu
Raphael Onyemaechi
Moses Simon
Frank Onyedika
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
Samuel Chukwueze
Akor Adams
Paul Onuachu
SUBSTITUTES
Ademola Lookman
(Onuachu, 45 min)
Alex Iwobi
(Osayi-Samuel 64 min)
Chidera Ejuke
(Samuel Chukwueze 91 min)
Chidozie Awaziem
(Semi Ajayi 93 min)
HEAD COACH: Eric Chelle
LINE-UP: EGYPT
Khaled Sobhi
Mohamed Hany
Ramy Rabia
Trézéguet
Emam Ashour
Mohamed Salah
Mostafa Mohamed
Hamdi Fathi
Mohanad Lasheen
Zizo
Mostafa Shobeir
SUBSTITUTES
Omar Marmoush
(Zizo, 60 min)
Mahmoud Saber
(Trézéguet, 61 min)
Ibrahim Adel
(Mostafa Mohamed 73 min)
HEAD COACH: Hossam Hassan Hussein
By James Agberebi in Fes, Morocco
4 Comments
Coach Eric Chelle should keep his job.
He is a good coach. He has done well.
Owing off salaries and bonuses to coaches and players MUST stop!
Congratulations, Nigeria.
If the NFF can put their acts together, the SE eagles will truly begin to soar from this point.
Now we have a good coach, all we need is the administrative support from the NFF and the world of football will be at our feet.
Congratulations to all true fans of the SE.
Congratulations to all true fans of S.E. As other countries are building we too dont hv to rest till we return to the submit of world football where we once belong ( 5th ranking by FIFA) . In this regards there are some players I feel hv played themselves out of Eagles and should never be called up again. We need an SE that will hv like for like replacement for every position. So the following players hv no business being in that team again wasting space.
(1) Anuachu
(2) Moses Simon
(3) Chukweze
(4) Onyedika
There is no tIme to waste. Every one is not an SE material. We cannot be keeping players on the been thinking we hv a bench and when the need arises we bring in a replacement only to find that its a disappointment. It doesn’t matter the league. A good player can be found any way. Image how Freddrick came in and dovetail with our defence as if he has been playing for years. Thats the level we need. Chelle should stay but go in thorough search for Osihmen deputy, Nididi deputy and the quality wingers. Chukweze and simon are finished. Another player that i think will fit into this chelle’s Diamond midfield is Ihenacho.. pls lets try him and see .. He is a good passer of the ball to compliment iwobi . He can play at the tip of the Diamond while lukeman pairs Osihmen in attack. For now,we are cover in defence, goal keeping and partially attack. Midfield is our problem
Ahhh easy on onyedika and chukzy biko.