MATCH STATS: Nigeria vs Egypt
Nigeria will bid for a ninth Africa Cup of Nations bronze medal when they take on Egypt, who have won the bronze medal three times previously, at Stade Mohamed V on Sunday.
This will be the 10th meeting between the two sides at the Africa Cup of Nations.
PAST MEETINGS
Overall
Nigeria: P20 W8 D6 L6 GF29 GA24 GD+5
Egypt: P20 W6 D6 L8 GF24 GA29 GD-5
AFCON Only
Nigeria: P9 W5 D2 L2 GF12 GA13 GD-1
Egypt: P9 W2 D2 L5 GF13 GA12 GD+1
PAST AFCON MEETINGS
1963 – Group Stage: Egypt 6–3 Nigeria
Nigeria’s first AFCON meeting with Egypt came in the opening match of the 1963 tournament, a nine-goal thriller won 6–3 by Egypt. The Egyptians raced into a 5–0 lead before Nigeria scored their first goal. Mohamed Morsi Hossein and Hassan Ahmed El-Shazly both scored hat-tricks. Sudan and Egypt progressed to the semi-finals, while Nigeria were eliminated at the group stage.
1976 – Second Group Stage: Nigeria 3–2 Egypt
Nigeria defeated Egypt 3–2 in their final second group-stage match. The result was immaterial, as neither side had a chance of overhauling Guinea or Morocco. Nigeria finished third overall, with Egypt fourth.
1980 – Group Stage: Nigeria 1–0 Egypt
At the 1980 AFCON, with both teams already through to the semi-finals, hosts Nigeria won 1–0 in their final group game to finish as group winners. Nigeria went on to lift the trophy.
1984 – Semi-final: Nigeria 2–2 Egypt (Nigeria won on penalties)
The sides met in the semi-finals, where Egypt surrendered a two-goal lead as the match ended 2–2, with Nigeria advancing on penalties.
1988 – Group Stage: Nigeria 0–0 Egypt
A goalless draw in their final group game saw Nigeria top the group and eliminate Egypt, progressing to the semi-finals.
1990 – Group Stage: Nigeria 1–0 Egypt
Nigeria bounced back from a 5–1 opening loss to hosts Algeria to defeat Egypt 1–0, eliminating Egypt while Nigeria reached the final and finished runners-up.
1994 – Group Stage: Nigeria 0–0 Egypt
Another goalless draw in their final group game saw both teams progress to the quarter-finals. Egypt were eliminated at that stage, while Nigeria went on to lift the trophy.
2010 – Group Stage: Egypt 3–1 Nigeria
After a 16-year wait, the teams met again at AFCON, with Egypt ending a six-game winless run against Nigeria with a 3–1 come-from-behind victory in their opening group match. Nigeria still progressed to the quarter-finals, while Egypt went on to successfully defend their title.
2021 – Group Stage: Nigeria 1–0 Egypt
Nigeria won 1–0, with Kelechi Iheanacho scoring the only goal in the 30th minute. Both teams progressed from the group, Egypt finishing runners-up while Nigeria exited at the Round of 16.
This will be their second meeting at a tournament hosted by Morocco, following their encounter in 1988.
Of their nine AFCON meetings, eight have come in the group stages. In 1976 they met in the second group stage, while they have met seven times in standard group play. In 1963 Egypt progressed, while in 1988 and 1990 Nigeria advanced at Egypt’s expense.
Overall, the sides have met 20 times, with Nigeria winning eight matches, Egypt six, and six ending in draws.
Nigeria won their two most recent AFCON-related meetings prior to Egypt’s latest victory, a friendly international in March 2019 in Asaba and the 2021 AFCON group match, both by 1–0 scorelines.
Egypt won the most recent meeting, a friendly on 16 December 2025. Mahmoud Saber scored in the 28th minute and Mostafa Mohamed in the 53rd, while Chidozie Awaziem scored in first-half stoppage time.
Nigeria’s 2019 friendly win ended a seven-match winless run against Egypt (D3 L4) and was their first victory over Egypt in 29 years, following their 1990 AFCON success.
THIRD PLACE PLAY-OFF HISTORY
Nigeria and Egypt will contest the 32nd AFCON third place play-off.
Across the previous 31 matches, the third place play-off has produced 87 goals at an average of 2.85 per game.
In 13 of the 31 matches, both teams have scored.
Five previous play-offs, in 1988, 1998, 2000, 2015 and 2023, were decided by penalty shoot-outs.
The highest-scoring play-off was in 1998, when Burkina Faso and DR Congo drew 4–4, with DR Congo winning on penalties after Burkina Faso had led 3–0 and 4–1.
The most recent high-scoring play-off ended 3–3 before Cameroon defeated Burkina Faso on penalties, coming back from 3–0 down.
Burkina Faso have twice surrendered three-goal leads and lost on penalties, in 1998 and 2021.
At the last edition, South Africa defeated DR Congo on penalties after a 0–0 draw.
The biggest victory in a third place play-off was Egypt’s 4–0 win over Congo in 1974.
Only in 2015 and 2023 did the play-off end goalless, with DR Congo defeating Equatorial Guinea on penalties in 2015 and losing to South Africa in 2023.
