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Soccer enthusiast at Cubana Club, Ikeja, Lagos, has applauded red-hot Ademola Lookman alongside goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali following their heroic performance to secure Nigeria to bronze medal at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The team which thrilled fans at the watch party sponsored by leading network, MTN, secured a record-extending ninth Africa Cup of Nations bronze medal on Saturday night after defeating Egypt 4-2 on penalties following a goalless draw in the third-place playoff of the tournament in Casablanca.
Still nursing the disappointment of their semi-final shootout defeat to hosts Morocco, the Super Eagles returned with the determination to leave the competition with something tangible. And they did so thanks to the calm nerve of Ademola Lookman and the decisive gloves of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Head coach Eric Chelle reshuffled his side, making four changes to the team that fell to Morocco.
With Calvin Bassey suspended, Igoh Ogbu stepped into defence, while Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi and Lookman began on the bench, replaced by Paul Onuachu, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Moses Simon.
Nigeria started on the front foot and Akor Adams forced the first meaningful save from the Egyptian goalkeeper in the opening minutes.
The Pharaohs gradually settled, however, and began to threaten, requiring some desperate defending from the Nigerian back line to keep the contest level.
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The Super Eagles thought they had taken the lead five minutes before the break when Adams finished smartly, but VAR intervened to spot an elbow by Onuachu in the build-up, and the goal was chalked off. It remained goalless at the interval.
Barely a minute into the second half, Nigeria were celebrating again when Lookman headed home from close range, only for the flag to go up for offside against Adams in the move that led to the goal.
Raphael Onyedika then tested the Egyptian goalkeeper with a fierce long-range effort, while half-chances fell to Lookman, Adams and Simon as Nigeria pushed for a breakthrough.
Yet, as the game wore on, both sides began to cancel each other out, and clear openings became increasingly rare.
With no extra time scheduled, the match went straight to penalties.
The shootout began nervously for Nigeria as Dele-Bashiru saw his effort saved, but Egypt failed to capitalise. Then, just as he had done in the semi-final, Stanley Nwabali produced two superb saves to swing the momentum back in Nigeria’s favour.
From there, the Super Eagles were flawless. Akor Adams, Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi all converted confidently before Lookman stepped up to send the Egyptian goalkeeper the wrong way and seal a 4-2 shootout victory.
