AFCON
Numbers, History and Rivalry: Nigeria–Egypt Bronze Match in Context
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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Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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