Egypt 0-0 (2-4 Pen) Nigeria Player Ratings: Nwabali the Hero as Nigeria Claim Third Place on Penalties

Egypt and Nigeria played out a tense and exhausting Africa Cup of Nations third-place playoff at the Stade Mohamed V, with the contest ultimately decided by penalties after 120 minutes failed to produce a winner.

It was a cagey, close encounter that can be defined more by defensive discipline than attacking quality. Both sides struggled to find rhythm in the final third, with fatigue clearly setting in as the game wore on. Clear chances were at a premium, and neither team did enough during normal time to truly separate themselves, making a shootout feel inevitable long before the final whistle.

The major highlight of the match came when Paul Onuachu thought he had given Nigeria the lead with a powerful header, only for VAR to intervene and rule the goal out. The decision halted Nigeria’s momentum and further drained the intensity from an already cautious encounter.

Egypt, meanwhile, leaned heavily on one of the best right wingers, Mohamed Salah, for scoring. Still, the Liverpool forward endured an uncharacteristically wasteful evening, failing to convert the best opportunities that came his way.

With the scores still level after extra time, the goalkeepers took centre stage in the shootout. While Oufa Shobeir produced a save for Egypt, it was Stanley Nwabali who proved decisive, making crucial stops to secure the bronze medal for the Nigeria National football team.

It was a dramatic conclusion to a low-scoring and hard-fought contest. Here are Sportsdunua’s Egypt vs Nigeria Player Ratings from the AFCON third-place playoff.

Key Takeaways

• A cautious, fatigue-filled contest saw both sides struggle for fluency, making penalties feel inevitable.

• Onuachu’s VAR-disallowed header and Salah’s missed chances summed up the lack of cutting edge.

• Stanley Nwabali’s crucial saves in the penalty shootout earned Nigeria the bronze medal.

Egypt Player Ratings vs Nigeria

Here's a look at the Egypt Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Oufa Shobeir - 8.0: A really strong showing from the Egyptian keeper. He made four saves during the match, including a couple of crucial ones inside the box. He also saved a penalty in the shootout from Dele-Bashiru, giving his team a lifeline they couldn't take. Couldn't do much about the penalties that were scored. He can hold his head high.

Defenders

Khaled Sobhi - 6.5: A mixed bag from the defender. He was involved, with 58 touches and a decent pass completion rate. However, we noticed he was dribbled past twice and lost possession a bit too often for our liking. He won more duels than he lost, but never looked completely comfortable against Nigeria's pace.

Ramy Rabia - 7.5: Probably Egypt's best outfield player. He was a rock at the back. His 98% pass accuracy is genuinely outstanding for a centre-back over 120 minutes. He made six clearances and won most of his duels. A commanding and composed performance, he barely put a foot wrong.

Mohamed Hany - 7.0: A solid outing. He created a big chance for Salah that should have been buried. Defensively, he won all his tackles, which is impressive. However, he was dribbled past three times, which takes a little shine off his rating. Still, a positive contribution overall.

Hamdy Fathy - 7.5: An absolute workhorse in the defensive midfield/defensive role. He was everywhere. Fathy contested 13 duels, winning nine of them, and made an impressive five tackles. He was the engine room for Egypt, constantly breaking up play and trying to get his team moving forward. A tireless and very effective performance.

Midfielders

Mahmoud Trezeguet - 5.5: We were disappointed with his contribution. He was on the pitch for an hour but was largely anonymous. He lost more duels than he won and failed to create anything of note. His one shot was off target, and he was rightly substituted.

Emam Ashour - 6.5: He put in a real shift for the full 120 minutes. His nine ball recoveries show his commitment and work rate. From our perspective, he did the simple things well, keeping possession ticking over. He lacked that final ball or creative spark to really hurt Nigeria.

Mohamed Salah - 4.5: What can we even say? A shocking performance from a player of his calibre. He missed two big chances that a player of his quality should be scoring in his sleep. To top it all off, his penalty in the shootout was weak and easily saved. It set the tone for Egypt's collapse. A night to forget for the captain.

Mohanad Lasheen - 7.0: A very neat and tidy performance. His 94% pass accuracy over 120 minutes was crucial in helping Egypt retain the ball. He won most of his duels and made several important clearances and interceptions. An unsung hero in the middle of the park, though not spectacular.

Zizo - 6.0: He created one chance and drew a couple of fouls in his hour on the pitch. Like Trezeguet, he just didn't impose himself on the game. He kept the ball moving but without any real penetration. An average display.

Forwards

Mostafa Mohamed - 6.0: A thankless task leading the line for 73 minutes. He battled hard, winning four duels and drawing two fouls. However, he was caught offside twice and offered very little goal threat. He was isolated and starved of service for most of his time on the pitch.

Substitutes

Omar Marmoush - 5.0: Came on and showed some energy, but his defining contribution was the awful penalty he took in the shootout. It was a terrible effort that was easily saved, and it effectively ended the contest. A moment he'll want to erase from his memory.

Mahmoud Saber - 5.5: Brought on for Trezeguet but failed to provide the spark that was needed. Didn't get involved enough.

Ibrahim Adel - N/A: Didn't have enough time or service to make a genuine impact on the game.

Manager

H. Hussein - 5.0: His team was organized defensively; you have to give him that. But they were completely devoid of ideas in attack. His decision to have Salah take the first penalty backfired spectacularly, and the subsequent misses suggest a lack of mental preparation for the shootout. A disappointing end to the tournament.

Nigeria Player Ratings vs Egypt

Let's delve into the Nigeria Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Stanley Nwabali - 9.0: The undisputed Man of the Match. He was a colossal figure for Nigeria. He made a crucial save to deny Salah a certain goal in the first half. Then, in the shootout, he was simply magnificent, saving two penalties, including one from the great Salah himself. A legendary performance that won his country the bronze medal. The highest-rated player on the pitch by a mile.

Defenders

Bright Osayi-Samuel - 6.5: Was having a very solid game before he was forced off with an injury. He won 100% of his tackles and was comfortable in possession. His departure was a blow, but he did his job well while on the pitch.

Igoh Ogbu - 7.0: A really solid 120-minute performance from the central defender. He was strong, winning four of his six duels, and his passing was reliable. He picked up a yellow card but was otherwise a very composed and steady presence at the heart of the Nigerian defence.

Semi Ajayi - 7.0: Another strong defensive display before his unfortunate injury. He was comfortable distributing the ball with good accuracy on his long passes. He made four clearances and won his duels. Nigeria's defence was excellent, and he was a key part of it for 90 minutes.

Bruno Onyemaechi - 7.0: An impressive all-around performance from the full-back. He was a threat going forward, creating a chance and putting in five crosses. Defensively, he was sound, making seven ball recoveries and two interceptions. A very balanced and energetic display over 120 minutes.

Midfielders

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru - 5.0: He was tidy on the ball with a 94% pass accuracy, but it was all too safe. He offered very little in an attacking sense and was poor in his duels. His misery was compounded by a poorly taken penalty that was saved in the shootout. A performance that promised little and delivered less.

Samuel Chukwueze - 8.0: For 90 minutes, he was Nigeria's most dangerous player. What stood out to us was his incredible duel success, winning 14 of 19 battles. He was a constant threat with his dribbling and work rate, also making seven tackles. It was a surprise to see him substituted.

Moses Simon - 7.5: The captain led by example. He was a willing runner for 120 minutes, completing four dribbles and creating a big chance. He stepped up under pressure in the shootout and coolly dispatched his penalty to seal the victory. A true captain's performance.

Raphael Onyedika - 6.5: A bit of a mixed performance. His range of passing was impressive, completing seven long balls, but he also lost possession 13 times. He got a shot on target but wasn't a consistent threat. A decent, if unspectacular, outing.

Forwards

Paul Onuachu - 6.5: He was desperately unlucky to have his header ruled out by VAR. He was a real handful for the Egyptian defence in the first half, using his physicality to win duels and draw fouls. His substitution at half-time was a surprise to us.

Akor Adams - 6.0: A frustrating night in open play for the striker. He was caught offside three times and lost all five of his duels. However, he showed immense character to step up and confidently score Nigeria's first penalty. That moment of composure bumps up his rating significantly.

Substitutes

Ademola Lookman - 6.0: Came on for the second half and provided some fresh legs, setting up one shot for Simon. He didn't have a decisive impact but kept the Egyptian defenders busy.

Alex Iwobi - 6.0: Replaced the injured Osayi-Samuel and brought calm and experience to the midfield. Helped Nigeria control the latter stages of the game.

Chidozie Awaziem - N/A: A late substitute for the injured Ajayi.

Chidera Ejuke - N/A: Came on in stoppage time with little chance to influence the game.

Manager

É. Chelle - 7.5: He got his tactics spot on. His team was defensively resolute and looked the more likely side to create something. His penalty takers were confident and prepared, a stark contrast to their opponents. He managed the game well and deserves full credit for securing the third-place finish.

Man of the Match

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was Sportsdunia's man of the match.

Worst Performer

Mohamed Salah was the worst performer of the game.