Egypt and Nigeria meet in the AFCON 2025 third-place play-off on Saturday at 4pm GMT at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, capping a tournament of near misses for both football powerhouses.
Fans are eager to see whether Nigeria’s historical edge in head-to-heads – 9 wins to Egypt’s 6 – will carry them to victory, or if the Pharaohs can salvage pride in what is often the most bittersweet fixture of any major tournament.
Team News and Key Players
Egypt’s squad faces uncertainty after a dour semi-final against Senegal. Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, both struggling for service previously, are likely to start, while Trezeguet has shaken off injury. Nigeria, meanwhile, faces the absence of Calvin Bassey, suspended after a yellow card in the semi-final. Striker Victor Osimhen’s fitness will be closely monitored after hobbling late in extra time. Former Leicester captain Wilfred Ndidi returns from suspension, but Cyriel Dessers is sidelined with an ankle problem.
Match Odds and Predictions
According to Betfair odds, Nigeria is pegged at 1/1 to win, with Egypt at 11/5. Analysts expect a closely contested game that may hinge on the performance of star strikers Salah, Marmoush, and Osimhen. While both sides struggled for potency in the semi-finals, the desire to end the tournament on a high could spark a thrilling encounter.
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