A Sierra Leonean man, who has gained significant attention for correctly predicting the outcomes of 19 matches in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has now shared his forecast for the tournament's third-place playoff.
The High-Stakes Bronze Medal Clash
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to face the Pharaohs of Egypt at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Both teams are entering the match following defeats in their respective semi-final fixtures. Nigeria lost to hosts Morocco, while Egypt was narrowly edged out by Senegal.
In a notable team selection, Nigeria's coach Eric Chelle has decided to start with star players Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman on the bench for this encounter.
The Prophet's Prediction: A Comeback Victory for Nigeria
The much-followed predictor has outlined a dramatic scenario for the match. He anticipates a tightly contested affair, with Egypt's renowned defensive solidity on full display. His forecast, shared on Facebook, states that Egypt will score first, but the Super Eagles will mount a resilient comeback to secure the win.
"The third-place AFCON playoff will be tight. The Pharaohs of Egypt, as always, will lock their defense so well. They will score first, but the Super Eagles will bounce back. It's a comeback win for the Men in Green," his prediction reads.
Mixed Reactions from Nigerian Fans
The prospect of a bronze medal match has elicited varied reactions from Nigerian supporters online, with many expressing disappointment at missing the final.
Shimee Silvanus captured a prevailing sentiment, stating: "We Nigerians are not interested in Bronze other than the Gold, this match don't matter to us, whether we win or loose, it doesn't change anything, our aim was to play the final."
Others, like Dee Bee and Prince Dami, suggested Nigeria should concede the match to Egypt, citing regional hosting dynamics. Hiybee Oloyede expressed concerns about officiating bias, while Ali Hammad humorously awaited the Egyptian coach's post-match explanations.
Support also came from outside Nigeria, with Hanzo Muslims, a Moroccan fan, pledging support for the Super Eagles, praising their sportsmanship.
CAF's Refereeing Appointment Under Scrutiny
Adding another layer of intrigue to the match, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed a Moroccan officiating crew. Moroccan referee Jalal Jiyed will take charge of the game, with Algerian Lahlu Benbraham serving as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
This decision is under particular scrutiny given recent events. Nigeria's semi-final loss to host nation Morocco was marred by accusations of biased officiating from some quarters. Similarly, Egypt's camp, led by head coach Hossam Hassan, has voiced frustrations over perceived disadvantages during their campaign, especially after their 1-0 loss to Senegal.
The multinational VAR team will be completed by Tunisian official Haythem Guirat and Moroccan Hamza El Fariq.
