Ademola Lookman scores decisive penalty as Nigeria beat Egypt 4-2 in a shoot-out after a 0-0 draw in the Africa Cup of Nations third-place play-off
ADEMOLA Lookman converted the decisive penalty to give Nigeria a 4-2 shoot-out victory over Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations third-place play-off on Saturday.
The match finished 0-0 after regulation time at the Stade Mohammed V.
Victory for the Super Eagles followed the disappointment of losing recent shoot-outs that cost them a place at the 2026 World Cup and in the 2025 AFCON final.
Nigeria lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo last November in a World Cup qualifying play-off.
They then lost another shoot-out to hosts Morocco in an AFCON semi-final just three days ago.
Success maintained Nigeria’s perfect record in AFCON third-place matches after seven previous victories.
Before Lookman scored, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria’s first kick, but Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi all converted.
Premier League pair Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both had their penalties saved by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali before Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored for Egypt.
Egypt made six changes and Nigeria five to the teams that started their semi-final losses three days ago.
Captain Salah started for the Pharaohs while traditional first-choice goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and forward Marmoush were among the substitutes.
Attackers Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both former African Footballer of the Year winners, began on the bench for Nigeria.
Most Moroccans in a near-capacity 45,000 crowd backed Nigeria, whistling whenever Egypt gained possession.
This support was attributed to the great rivalry between Morocco and Egypt at both national team and club levels.
Nigeria and Egypt each had spells of dominance in a goalless opening half on a cold, cloudy evening.
Paul Onuachu thought he had scored on 36 minutes as he headed the ball past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
However, a VAR review revealed Onuachu had accidently struck Hamdy Fathy with an elbow, leading to the goal being disallowed and a yellow card.
Lookman was introduced for the second half, replacing Onuachu, and had the ball in the net immediately.
That effort was also ruled out, this time for offside.
Nigeria started the second period with a series of attacks, forcing Shobeir to make several saves.
Salah seldom threatened and when he did cut inside, the danger was quickly averted.
Marmoush came on after the hour mark to try and boost a blunt Egyptian attack.
As the match entered the final 10 minutes there was no sign of Osimhen being brought on for Nigeria.
In quick succession, Adams and then Marmoush threatened to score but neither could deliver the finishing touch.
Salah then hit a late free-kick straight into the wall, summing up a frustrating evening for the Pharaohs.
