In a gripping finale to the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations third-place playoff, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria triumphed over Egypt’s Young Pharaohs in a nerve-racking penalty shootout, winning 4-1 after a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time.
Both teams entered the match with wounded pride, having narrowly missed out on the final, but the battle for bronze proved no less intense. Inside a pulsating Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, the two youth powerhouses put on a show of grit, skill, and raw ambition—reminding the continent why they remain among Africa’s most storied footballing nations.
⚽ First-Half Fireworks
It was Egypt who struck first, with a well-taken goal in the 17th minute. The Young Pharaohs capitalized on a defensive slip by Nigeria, with forward Mostafa Adel slotting home coolly past goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso. But the Flying Eagles responded with characteristic verve. Their equalizer came shortly before halftime through Daniel Daga, who rose highest to meet a curling corner and thundered a header into the net.
🛡️ Tension and Tactical Chess
The second half was a cagey affair, with both sides probing cautiously, wary of making costly mistakes. Nigeria controlled possession, with the midfield duo of Tochukwu Nnadi and Ibrahim Muhammad dictating tempo, but Egypt’s backline held firm. When the final whistle blew at 1-1, the match headed straight to penalties.
🎯 Penalty Perfection
In the shootout, Nigeria showed remarkable composure. Goalkeeper Aniagboso turned hero, saving two of Egypt’s spot-kicks. Meanwhile, all four Nigerian takers—Daga, Nnadi, Musa Ibrahim, and captain Solomon Agbalaka—converted with icy precision. Egypt managed only one successful attempt before the decisive miss sealed their fate.
🏆 Pride Restored
The victory handed Nigeria the bronze medal—an honorable finish and a testament to their resilience and character after the heartbreak of a semi-final exit. More than just a consolation, this triumph reinforces the Flying Eagles’ reputation as a breeding ground for future Super Eagles stars.
Head coach Ladan Bosso praised his team’s mentality: “We came here with the ambition to win the title, but I’m proud of how the boys responded. To finish on the podium and show this level of courage speaks volumes about their future.”
For Egypt, the tournament ends in frustration, but their young talents can hold their heads high after a spirited campaign.
As the curtain falls on the 2025 U-20 AFCON, Africa’s future football stars have reminded us all that the road to greatness is forged not only in glory, but also in grit—and today, Nigeria proved they have plenty of both.
Key Stats & Player Profile
🇳🇬 Nigeria 1 (4) – (1) 1 Egypt
🏆 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations – Third Place Match
📍 Stade de la Paix, Bouaké
📅 May 17, 2025
⚽ Goals:
🇪🇬 Mostafa Adel (17’)
🇳🇬 Daniel Daga (41’)
🎯 Penalties:
✅ Nigeria: Daga ✅, Nnadi ✅, Ibrahim ✅, Agbalaka ✅
❌ Egypt: 1 scored, 2 saved by Aniagboso, 1 missed
🔑 Match Highlights:
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⛔ Chijioke Aniagboso (Nigeria GK): 2 penalty saves – man of the moment
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🧠 Daniel Daga (Nigeria CM): 1 goal, 1 penalty scored – a complete midfield performance
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🧱 Solomon Agbalaka (Nigeria Captain): Leadership on the pitch, sealed the shootout
📊 Match Stats:
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Possession: 🇳🇬 56% – 🇪🇬 44%
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Shots on Target: 🇳🇬 6 – 🇪🇬 4
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Corners: 🇳🇬 5 – 🇪🇬 3
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Fouls: 🇳🇬 12 – 🇪🇬 10
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Yellow Cards: 🇳🇬 1 – 🇪🇬 2
📱 2. Social Media Recap (Instagram/Twitter/X Thread)
🇳🇬⚽ FLYING EAGLES FLY TO BRONZE!
Nigeria U20 🆚 Egypt U20
Final Score: 1-1 (4-1 pens)
🟢 Nigeria held their nerve in a dramatic shootout to claim 3rd place at #U20AFCON2025!
📸 Daniel Daga = equalizer + 1st penalty
🧤 Aniagboso = 2 crucial saves
🔥 4 perfect pens from 🇳🇬
Nigeria = 🔛 the podium 🥉
Pride. Passion. Potential. #NaijaRising 🇳🇬🌍
Here’s a set of standout Nigeria U-20 player profiles from the third-place match at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations:
🇳🇬Nigeria U-20 Player Profiles – AFCON 2025 Bronze Medalists
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🧤 Chijioke Aniagboso – Goalkeeper
Age: 19 | Club: Enyimba FC
📌 Profile: Calm, commanding, and clutch. Aniagboso was the penalty shootout hero, saving two Egyptian spot-kicks with ice in his veins. His shot-stopping reflexes and leadership from the back were pivotal throughout the tournament.
⭐ Match Impact: 2 penalty saves in the shootout
🧱 Nickname: “The Wall of Aba” -
🛡️ Solomon Agbalaka – Left Back / Captain
Age: 20 | Club: Sochi FC (Russia)
📌 Profile: A rock at the back and a leader by example. Agbalaka’s intelligent positioning and overlapping runs provided width and stability. He converted the decisive penalty to secure Nigeria’s win.
⭐ Match Impact: Final penalty taker & defensive anchor
🧭 Nickname: “The General” -
⚙️ Daniel Daga – Central Midfielder
Age: 18 | Club: Watford FC (England)
📌 Profile: A box-to-box dynamo. Scored the equalizer with a towering header and calmly converted Nigeria’s first penalty. Daga’s energy, interceptions, and quick distribution made him a midfield engine.
⭐ Match Impact: 1 goal, 1 penalty scored
🔥 Rising Star Watch -
🎯 Tochukwu Nnadi – Playmaker / Midfielder
Age: 19 | Club: Botev Plovdiv (Bulgaria)
📌 Profile: Silky, smart, and decisive. Nnadi controlled Nigeria’s tempo and linked defense to attack. Showed poise under pressure in the shootout, dispatching his penalty with class.
⭐ Match Impact: 1 penalty scored, 92% pass accuracy
🎩 Nickname: “The Metronome” -
⚡ Musa Ibrahim – Forward
Age: 18 | Club: Nasarawa United
📌 Profile: Lively and direct, Musa offered threat with his pace and flair. He didn’t score from open play, but delivered a composed penalty in the shootout. His movement kept Egypt’s backline on alert.
⭐ Match Impact: 1 penalty scored, created 2 chances
💨 Nickname: “Jetstream”
🧠 Coach Mention:
👔 Ladan Bosso – Head Coach
Age: 56
📌 Profile: Veteran tactician who has now delivered back-to-back top-four finishes for Nigeria at youth level. Managed emotions after semi-final heartbreak and rallied his side to end on a high.
🎙️ Quote: “This is more than bronze. It’s belief restored.”
