AFCON

NIGERIA AND LAST MINUTE GOALS AT AFCON

Published

7 years ago

July 15, 2019

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Sunday’s last minute goal for Algeria was not the first of such to be conceded by Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, even though, Super Eagles have also profited from the cliff-hanging situations as the clock ticked down.

It is well known that it was the last minute goal against South Africa that shut them into the semi finals. Also in 2008, it was the late minute goal that Yakubu Aiyegbeni scored against Benin Republic that earned Nigeria a passage into the knockout stage on goal difference over Mali.

Two years earlier in Egypt, even though Nigeria had won their two group games against Zimbabwe and Ghana, the Super Eagles were at the risk of possible elimination going into the third match with Senegal.

Senegal had beaten Zimbabwe 2-0 before losing 1-0 to Ghana. With that scenario, all possibilities were open for Zimbabwe to advance, should they beat Ghana and if Nigeria beat Senegal silly.

Similarly, Nigeria’s advancement was at risk had they lost to Senegal by at least two goals and also Ghana beating Zimbabwe by the same margin or more. The three tops teams would have ended with six points apiece.

Nigeria would have been eliminated on goal difference. Zimbabwe did the unexpected beating Ghana 2-1 in Ismalia. With the match and that of Nigeria and Senegal going on simultaneously, Senegal took an early lead before Nigeria leveled up 11 minutes to regulation time.

But a win was needed for Nigeria to advance. The needed goal only came two minutes to end the game. That was not the first time Nigeria had a late goal against Senegal.

On their home soil in Dakar, Stephen Keshi fired a long range shot that enabled Nigeria get a 89^th minute goal with which the host team was defeated in the opening game of 1992 Africa Cup of Nations.

Was it history repeating itself at the semifinals when a dying minute robbed Nigeria a place in the final on Sunday? It was also so in 1976 when Guinea’s Papa Camara’s last minute goal confined Nigeria to struggle for third a third=place match with Guinea.

AFCON

Fifty Years On, Nigeria and Egypt Renew AFCON Bronze Rivalry in Casablanca

Published

3 hours ago

January 16, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Haruna Ilerika celebrating the goal that brought scorelines to 2-2 against Egypt before Muda Lawal put in the winning goal late in the match that earned Nigeria the first Afcon bronze medal 50 years ago.

By Kunle Solaja, Marrakesh, enroute to Casablanca

Nigeria will be aiming to further cement their status as Africa’s most consistent finishers when they face Egypt on Saturday in the third-place play-off of the Africa Cup of Nations in Casablanca.

The Super Eagles are targeting a record-extending ninth AFCON bronze medal, having officially finished third on eight previous occasions — more than any other nation in the competition’s history. Victory would also mark Nigeria’s 17th top-three finish at the Africa Cup of Nations, another continental benchmark.

There is a deep historical thread linking Nigeria and Egypt in AFCON bronze-medal contests. Nigeria’s first-ever third-place finish came against Egypt exactly 50 years ago at the 1976 finals in Ethiopia, while the Pharaohs themselves have claimed six bronze medals and could move closer to Nigeria’s record with a win on Saturday.

Saturday’s encounter will also add another chapter to a rivalry that dates back to Nigeria’s maiden AFCON appearance in 1963, when the two teams met in Lagos. Since then, both sides have often crossed paths at crucial moments in the tournament.

Nigeria arrive in Casablanca after a dramatic semi-final exit to hosts Morocco, losing on penalties after a goalless draw. Prior to that setback, the Super Eagles had scored in 12 successive AFCON matches and had found the net in all five of their games at the current finals. Despite failing to score in the semi-final, Nigeria still boast 14 goals at the tournament — their highest tally at any AFCON edition.

The Super Eagles also carry a perfect record in third-place matches, having won all seven they have contested without ever requiring a penalty shoot-out. Six of those victories were secured by a single-goal margin, underlining Nigeria’s ability to manage high-pressure fixtures of this nature.

Egypt, meanwhile, are appearing in a third-place play-off for the sixth time after a narrow 1–0 semi-final defeat to Senegal. They have won three and lost two of their previous bronze-medal matches, although this will be their first appearance in a third-place match in the 21st century.

Beyond medals and records, Saturday’s match offers both teams the chance to end their AFCON 2025 campaigns on a positive note, with pride, history and continental bragging rights at stake.

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AFCON

Numbers, History and Rivalry: Nigeria–Egypt Bronze Match in Context

Published

4 hours ago

January 16, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Stanley Nwabali has gone 357 minutes without conceding a goal and keeping three successive clean sheets.

By Kunle Solaja, Marrakech

Nigeria and Egypt’s third-place showdown in Casablanca will be the 32nd AFCON bronze-medal play-off, a fixture that has historically delivered goals, drama and, on occasion, penalty shoot-outs.

Across the previous 31 third-place matches, 87 goals have been scored at an average of 2.85 per game, with five editions decided on penalties. Egypt hold the record for the biggest victory in the fixture, having beaten Congo 4–0 in 1974, while the most recent play-off ended goalless before South Africa defeated DR Congo on penalties in 2023.

Saturday’s contest also deepens a long-standing AFCON rivalry between the two sides. The teams have met nine times at the Africa Cup of Nations, with eight of those encounters coming in the group stages. Overall, Nigeria and Egypt have faced each other 20 times, with Nigeria winning eight matches, Egypt six, and six ending in draws.

Their first AFCON meeting came in 1963, a nine-goal thriller won 6–3 by Egypt, while Nigeria gained revenge in later tournaments, including wins in 1976, 1980, 1990 and 2021. Egypt ended a long winless run against Nigeria with a 3–1 group-stage victory in 2010, before Nigeria again edged the Pharaohs 1–0 at the 2021 finals.

Nigeria’s third-place pedigree remains unmatched. The Super Eagles have officially finished third in 1976, 1978, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2019, winning all seven matches in which a third-place play-off was contested. Their most recent bronze came in 2019, courtesy of a 1–0 victory over Tunisia.

Statistically, Nigeria arrive with strong defensive credentials, having gone 357 minutes without conceding a goal and keeping three successive clean sheets. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made five saves in the semi-final against Morocco, while defender Calvin Bassey recorded the highest number of completed passes by any player at the tournament.

Egypt, by contrast, struggled for attacking rhythm in their semi-final loss to Senegal, registering just three shots and failing to record a shot on target until stoppage time. However, the Pharaohs remain historically efficient in bronze-medal matches, having scored in four of their five previous play-offs.

Individually, Mohamed Salah will be chasing history of his own. With 11 AFCON goals, the Liverpool forward could draw level with Hassan El-Shazly as Egypt’s all-time leading scorer at the finals.

As Nigeria chase another bronze to extend their continental record and Egypt seek to close the gap, Saturday’s clash promises to be shaped as much by numbers and history as by what unfolds on the pitch in Casablanca.

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AFCON

Goldberg Rallies Fans Ahead of Super Eagles’ AFCON Third-Place Clash with Egypt

Published

4 hours ago

January 16, 2026

Kunle Solaja

As the Nigeria Super Eagles prepare to face Egypt in the third-place match of the Africa Cup of Nations, Goldberg Lager Beer has once again called Nigerian fans together with another edition of its popular Festival of Drums and Light, reinforcing the message that support for the national team goes beyond wins and losses.

Building on the strong turnout recorded during Nigeria’s quarter-final and semi-final fixtures, Goldberg is set to deliver another vibrant match-day experience on Saturday at the Lion Wonder Arena, Egbeda, Lagos. Activities at the venue will begin at 4:00 p.m., giving fans ample time to settle in ahead of kick-off.

The Festival of Drums and Light forms a central part of Goldberg’s Our Beat, Our Gold campaign, which has followed the Super Eagles throughout AFCON 2025 with viewing centres, cultural activations and fan celebrations across Lagos and beyond.

The campaign draws inspiration from the rhythm, passion and sense of togetherness that define how Nigerians experience football.

Saturday’s edition promises a lively mix of football, music and culture. According to the organisers, the Egbeda venue will host live performances by Small Doctor, Shoday, Hardvantage and DJ Neptune, adding colour and energy ahead of the Nigeria versus Egypt encounter.

Fans at the event will also enjoy Goldberg’s signature match-day atmosphere, featuring branded fan zones, music, light entertainment and ice-cold Goldberg Lager Beer available throughout the evening.

Speaking ahead of the event, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager Brands at Nigerian Breweries Plc, Laolu Babalola Kunle, said the focus remains firmly on the fans and the team.

“Our Beat, Our Gold is about how Nigerians show up for football,” he said. “Whether it’s a final, a semi-final or a third-place match, the passion stays the same. The Festival of Drums and Light gives fans a place to come together, enjoy the game and celebrate the Super Eagles.”

Babalola added that the third-place match offers Nigeria another opportunity to finish the tournament on a positive note.

“The Super Eagles have given a good account of themselves at this AFCON,” he noted. “This match against Egypt is another chance to show character, and the fans will be right behind them.”

Also speaking, Senior Brand Manager, Goldberg, Kunle Aroyehun, described the festival as part of the company’s broader commitment to Nigerian football culture.

“Goldberg has a long history with Nigerian football,” Aroyehun said. “Our role

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