Nigeria's Super Eagles must swiftly shift their focus from the agony of a semi-final defeat to the pursuit of a historic consolation prize. This Saturday in Casablanca, they will battle the Pharaohs of Egypt for the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
From Rabat Heartbreak to Casablanca Redemption
The dream of a fourth AFCON title was shattered for the Super Eagles on Wednesday night in Rabat. They fell to hosts Morocco in a tense penalty shootout after a grueling semi-final clash. The team, led by Coach Eric Chelle, has since relocated to Casablanca to prepare for the third-place playoff.
Chelle's future with the national team is now shrouded in uncertainty, with reports linking him to the vacant Tunisia coaching role. Despite the setback, the Nigerian Football Federation has commended the squad's overall campaign. NFF President Ibrahim Gusau emphasized the need to move on from the penalty lottery and secure the bronze.
"Penalty shootouts remain lotteries in the game and it could have gone either way," Gusau stated. "The NFF is proud of the output of the team at this championship. They gave their best and still remain the team to have scored the most goals here. Go for the bronze."
A Record Ninth 'Golden Bronze' in Sight
Nigeria has a unique and dominant history in AFCON third-place matches. The Super Eagles have won the bronze medal a record eight times previously, including in 2019, 2010, and 2004. A victory over Egypt would secure an unprecedented ninth third-place finish, a testament to the team's frequent presence in the tournament's latter stages.
This match comes amid ongoing debates about the relevance of third-place playoffs, with some stakeholders urging the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to discard the fixture, as is the trend in Europe.
Support and Reward Despite Disappointment
In a significant show of support, prominent businessman and philanthropist Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu has pledged to honor his financial promise to the team despite the semi-final loss. He confirmed he would still give the players and officials the promised $500,000 reward for their efforts.
"You fought with your hearts, gave your all, and showed true courage and determination on the pitch," Rabiu said. "Though it wasn’t meant to be this time, you have made every Nigerian proud."
The Eagles held a training session open to the media on Thursday upon arrival in Casablanca. However, access was restricted on Friday as the team fine-tuned its strategy for the encounter against an Egyptian side spearheaded by their iconic forward, Mohamed Salah.
Meanwhile, the tournament's final will see Morocco face Senegal on Sunday in Rabat. Both nations are seeking their second-ever AFCON title, with Morocco's sole win dating back to 1976.
