AFCON
Super Eagles Banish Morocco Penalty Ghosts, Beat Egypt to AFCON Bronze
By Kunle Solaja, Casablanca
Nigeria finally laid to rest their penalty shoot-out nightmare in Morocco on Saturday night as the Super Eagles defeated Egypt 4–2 on penalties to claim the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Last November, the Super Eagles crashed out World Cup qualification after a penalty shoot-out loss to DR Congo.
Just days after their semi-final heartbreak against hosts Morocco, the Super Eagles showed steel and composure at Casablanca’s Stade Mohamed V, holding the Pharaohs to a goalless draw before keeping their nerve from the spot to finish the tournament on the podium.
It is the ninth time that Nigeria will be finishing third in AFCON, just as it is the 17th time in 21 appearances that the Super Eagles have had a podium finish.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was again at the heart of Nigeria’s success, as Africa’s most decorated nation overcame their shoot-out scars and turned disappointment into triumph.
Egypt’s stars faltered under pressure, with Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah and Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush both missing their penalties, while Rami Rabia and Mahmoud Saber converted for the North Africans. Nigeria, by contrast, were flawless when it mattered most, sealing a 4–2 shootout victory to secure third place.
The match itself was a tense and tactical affair, with both sides struggling to break each other down.
Egypt threatened early through Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan, whose low cross in the second minute was blocked by Nwabali, before Salah missed a golden chance midway through the first half after a fine assist from Mohamed Hany.
Nigeria thought they had taken the lead in the 36th minute when Akor Adams found the net, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review for a foul by Paul Onuachu.
After the break, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle injected pace and purpose by introducing Ademola Lookman, who immediately lifted Nigeria’s attack.
The Atalanta forward had a goal disallowed for offside and twice forced superb saves from Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, who kept the Pharaohs alive with a string of outstanding interventions.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan had reshuffled his side, with Mostafa Mohamed leading the line and Shobeir deputising for the injured Mohamed El-Shenawy, while Omar Marmoush was introduced in the second half to add spark. But despite late pressure from both teams, neither could find a breakthrough.
The match went straight to penalties – and this time, Nigeria refused to be denied.
From the trauma of losing shootouts in Morocco, including the World Cup playoff and the AFCON semi-final, the Super Eagles emerged reborn, showing maturity, belief and resilience to finish their campaign with a morale-boosting victory.
For Nigeria, the bronze medal is more than just a place on the podium. It is a statement of character, a symbolic victory over their recent penalty demons, and a fitting reward for a team that fought their way back from heartbreak to end the Africa Cup of Nations with pride.
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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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