Kunle Adelabu
After their respective disappointing semi -final games, the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Pharaohs of Egypt will, on Saturday, meet to determine the third -place team in the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
While Nigeria lost its semi -final match 4 – 2 in a penalty shootouts, in a very controversial manner to the host country on Wednesday, Egypt also lost hers to Senegal 1 -0.
The two teams will play at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, Morocco.
CAF, on Friday, announced Jayed as the centre referee for the match. The Moroccan will be assisted by his compatriots Zakaria Brinsi and Akarkad Mostafa.
The assistant referee 3, according to CAF, is Hassani Khalil from Tunisia, while the 4th official is Peter Kamaku from Kenya.
Algeria’s Lahlou Benbraham will be the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). He will be assisted by Haythem Guirat from Tunisia and Hamza El Fariq (Morocco)
Nigeria, which holds the record as the country with the most third place finish (8 times): 1976, 1978, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2019, will be playing in its 9th AFCON third place game.
Egypt has played in five AFCON third-place matches, coming away with three wins and two losses.
Both teams have met nine times at AFCON games with Nigeria having the upper hand with 5 wins, two draws and two losses, while Egypt has won just twice, drew 2 and lost on five occasions.
While Nigeria has not lost in any open game in the 2025 AFCON that is gradually winding down – winning three games in the group stage, and also winning her Round of 16 and quarter – final match, the Super Eagles lost the semi -final match against Morocco via a penalty.
The Superb Eagles have scored 14 goals so far, making it the most attacking team in the tournament.
On the other hand, Egypt, which played in the Group B, has won 4 matches so far, drew one and lost one in an open play.
