Before the curtain finally falls for the Nigerian and Egyptian teams on the 35th edition of African Cup of Nation (AFCON) finals in Morocco, the Super Eagles still has an unfinished business – winning the bronze medal in her third-place match against Egypt, Africa’s most decorated side at the finals with 7 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze.
The match is crucial for both teams, Nigeria having lost the semi final against the host, Morocco on penalties after a grueling match that ended goalless after 120 minutes. On its part, Egypt lost to 2021 winner Senegal through a lone strike by two-time CAF/African Footballer of the Year, APOTY and ex-Liverpool top marks man, Sadio Mane (who now plies his trade with the Saudi Pro- League club, Al-Nasir).
According to the confederation of African football (CAF) head-to-head statistics, Nigeria and Egypt have played a total of 20 competitive/official matches with Nigeria winning 8 , Egypt 6, and 6 draws. At the AFCON level, both countries have met 9 times with Nigeria wining 5, Egypt 2, and two draws each, showing Nigeria’s edge at that level.
A critical look at the performances of both teams at the tournament will give us an insight into how things may play out at the end of today’s encounter which kicks off at 5pm local time. Before this match, Nigeria has played a total of 6 matches, winning 5 and losing only the semifinal match against Morocco; scoring 14 goals and conceding 4 with a goal difference of +10. However, Egypt, which has also played a total of 6 matches, scoring 9 goals and conceding five, with a goal difference of +4. This shows the potency of Nigeria’s attack which parades the likes of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams and a host of others.
With a total of 16 podium finishes (3 gold, 5 silver and 8 bronze), and having never lost a third place match in the history of AFCON, Nigeria looks set to clinch another bronze medal against a team that has won only three of the five third place matches it has played.
Considering the fact that Egypt’s Mo Salah has never won an AFCON medal, has the chance to becoming the tournament’s golden boot winner (if he surpasses Morocco’s Brahim Diaz) which are enough motivation for the Liverpool forward.
According to a Sport enthusiast who spoke with our correspondent, Sesan Okunade said “as regards to the AFCON tournament ongoing in Morocco, the Super Eagles actually put up their best performance compared to what we experienced in the World Cup qualification matches.
“The match against Morocco was against them (Super Eagles). They played against the referee, and even the Spectators which mainly are Moroccans. So, it’s actually overwhelming.
“But I can see a positive outlook they coming out victorious for third place position today, if the tenacity at which they played the other games are actually there, because it’s more or less a neutral game to them compared to what we played against Morocco,” he expressed.
Okunade said further “the AFCON tournament match between Nigeria and Egypt, I believe it’s worth fighting for, because it’s also a full 90-minute game that definitely will need a win by either of the teams. And I believe that winning this match against Egypt would some sort of make Nigerians a little bit happy, even though they were disappointed from the penalty shootout that happened between Nigeria and Morocco. For me personally, I would like Nigeria to win that match because i am a big fan of the Nigerian team. I’m a big fan of the Super Eagles.
He added that the Super Eagles winning the match would be consolation for Nigerians and lovers of Super Eagles.
Byline:Group 4, PGD 3 2024/2005.
