Both seeking redemption in the Africa Cup of Nations third-place playoff, Egypt and Nigeria go head to head in Casablanca’s Stade Mohammed V on Saturday. The Pharaohs were beaten 1-0 by Senegal in the semi-finals, while Nigeria lost on penalties to host nation Morocco on Wednesday.
FootballWhispers’ Egypt vs Nigeria prediction examines the chances of both sides putting behind their recent heartbreak and leaving the continental showpiece with something this weekend.
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Egypt vs Nigeria prediction: A clash of two African titans
Key stats
- Nigeria have finished third in the Africa Cup of Nations on a record nine occasions, four more than any other side, while Egypt have clinched the Bronze medal three times, most recently in 1974.
- There have been fewer than three goals scored in four of the last five meetings between Egypt and Nigeria, with a combined eight goals across the five matches.
- Nigeria have netted the opening goal in all but one of their six AFCON matches so far, with Wednesday’s semi-final defeat against Morocco being the only exception.
- Egypt are unbeaten in 14 of their last 15 games against African nations across all competitions, picking up 12 wins and two draws since a 3-1 friendly loss against South Africa in March 2025.
- The Super Eagles have kept three clean sheets in their most recent three outings and will be aiming to keep a fourth straight shutout for the first time since February 2024.
Correct score prediction: Egypt 1-2 Nigeria
Still licking their wounds from their semi-final heartbreak, we expect Egypt and Nigeria to leave everything on the line on Saturday as they look to leave the tournament with their heads held high.
Nigeria have shown their class in the tournament, proving they can get the result against any opposition, and while we expect Egypt to put up a fight at the Stade Mohammed V, we fancy the Super Eagles to come out on top.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies fancy Nigeria to carry the day
- HOME: 11/5 (3.20) – 31.3%
- DRAW: 2/1 (3.00) – 33.3%
- AWAY: 11/10 (2.10) – 47.6%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
With their hopes of continental glory dashed in midweek, Egypt and Nigeria will tug it out for Bronze in the third-place playoff, a tie that offers both sides a chance to salvage pride and leave the tournament with a consolation.
Nigeria stormed into the last-four, claiming five wins from five, including victories over Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda in the group stages to finish five points clear at the top of Group C.
The Super Eagles turned in another dominant team display in the round of 16 on January 5, when they hammered Mozambique 4-0, five days before making light work of Algeria in a comfortable 2-0 quarter-final victory.
However, Nigeria’s worst for a fourth AFCON title came to an end on Wednesday, as they fell to a penalty-shootout defeat against Morocco, following a goalless 120 minutes at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Eric Chelle’s side are now on the cusp of clinching record-extending ninth Bronze medal in AFCON, and the bookmaker have them as favourites to get the job done in 90 minutes, currently priced at 11/10.
This indicates a 47.6% win probability, compared to Egypt’s 31.3%, while there is a 33.3% likelihood of the tie going into extra time at the Stade Mohammed V.
Egypt were outclassed and outplayed by Senegal in the other semi-final fixture on Tuesday, as they fell to a 1-0 defeat when the two nations squared off at the Grand Stade de Tanger.
The Pharaohs were allowed less than 40% of the ball possession and failed to truly threaten Senegal, with former Mohamed Salah Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane netting the winner in the 78th minute.
Having finished top of Group B with seven points from a possible nine, Egypt needed extra time to beat Benin 3-1 in the round of 16 on January 5, five days before claiming a thrilling 3-2 victory over four-time champions Ivory Coast.
Hossam Hassan’s men, who are the record African champions with seven title triumphs, will now will now look to pick up a first AFCON victory over Nigeria since January 2010 and finish third in the continental showpiece for the first time since 1974.
While we take a deeper look into both nations, you can take a peek at some of FootballWhispers’ best picks and predictions for the weekend fixtures, including the AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal, in today’s free football betting tips.
Most recent H2Hs: Egypt holds the upper hand
Egypt have enjoyed the better of this fixture across the last 10 meetings between the two nations, picking up five wins since March 1994, three more than Nigeria’s two victories.
Both sides met in a warm-up friendly on December 16, with the Pharaohs claiming a 2-1 victory courtesy of goals from Mahmoud Saber and Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed.
However, it was Nigeria who came out on top in their most recent meeting at the Africa Cup of Nations, with the Super Eagles claiming a 1-0 victory in their group-stage clash back in January 2022.
International Match 16/12/25
Egypt
Nigeria
Africa Cup of Nations 11/01/22
Nigeria
Egypt
Egypt preview: Key defender remains sidelined
The Pharaohs will have to cope without Pyramids FC defender Mohamed Hamdi, who has been ruled out since suffering a knee injury against Benin on January 5.
We expect Hassan to name an unchanged back three this weekend, with Rami Rabia, Hossam Abdelmaguid and Yasser Ibrahim shielding goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy, while Salah and Manchester City man Omar Marmoush lead the attack.
Predicted lineup: El-Shenawy (GK), Rabia, Abdelmaguid, Ibrahim, Aboul-Fetouh, Fathy, Attia, Hany, Ashour, Marmoush & Salah
Last five games
- Senegal 1-0 Egypt
- Egypt 3-2 Ivory Coast
- Egypt 3-1 Benin (After extra-time)
- Angola 0-0 Egypt
- Egypt 1-0 South Africa
Nigeria preview: Star performer set to miss out amid Victor Osimhen injury scare
Nigeria have been left sweating over the fitness of star striker Victor Osimhen, who was taken off in the closing minutes of extra time against Morocco on Wednesday after visibly struggling with a foot injury.
Calvin Bassey has been a standout performer for the Super Eagles at the AFCON, but the Fulham man will sit out Saturday’s crunch tie due to suspension after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Morocco.
Having missed the game against the Atlas Lions due to suspension, we expect skipper Wilfried Ndidi to return to the fold on Saturday, teaming up with Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi at the centre of the park.
Predicted lineup: Nwabali (GK), Bright-Osayi, Ajayi, Awaziem, Onyemaechi, Onyeka, Ndidi, Iwobi, Adams, Lookman, Onuachu
Last five games
- Nigeria 0-0 Morocco (Morocco win 4-2 on penalties)
- Algeria 0-2 Nigeria
- Nigeria 3-0 Mozambique
- Uganda 1-3 Nigeria
- Nigeria 3-2 Tunisia
Player to watch — Mohamed Salah
While he endured a relatively quiet outing against Senegal in midweek, Salah remains the focal point of Egypt’s attack, and the Liverpool forward will be one to watch out for this weekend’s
The 33-year-old has netted four goals at the tournament so far and is in the race for the Golden Boot, as he sits joint-second in the scoring chart, one goal behind Morocco and Real Madrid man Brahim Diaz.
Salah is also on the cusp of becoming Egypt's joint all-time leading scorer at AFCON tournaments, needing one goal to move level with Hassan El-Shazly at the top of the elusive list.
We expect the Liverpool forward to spearhead the Pharaoh’s attack once again, forming the front two with Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush.