AFCON 2025: Kaizer Chiefs Target Nwabali Denies Salah and Marmoush as Nigeria Win Bronze

In one of the standout performances of AFCON 2025, Stanley Nwabali delivered a match‑winning display for Nigeria, denying both Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush as the Super Eagles beat Egypt 4–2 on penalties after a goalless 90 minutes in Casablanca.

The victory preserved Nigeria’s perfect record in AFCON third‑place play‑offs and further elevated the profile of the Chippa United goalkeeper, who has been one of the tournament’s breakout stars. His heroics arrive amid renewed Kaizer Chiefs transfer interest, with the Soweto giants having formally opened transfer talks with Chippa United in 2025 as they explore a move for the Nigerian international. Chippa have since confirmed multiple enquiries for the in‑demand shot‑stopper

Nwabali Shuts Out Egypt

Nigeria entered the match with several key absentees. Calvin Bassey was suspended, while Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Osimhen were unavailable. Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman started from the bench, reinforcing the pressure on Nwabali to anchor a reshuffled side. Egypt also made notable changes to their lineup, including rotating their goalkeeper and initially keeping Manchester City’s Marmoush out of the starting XI.

Despite their altered team sheet, Egypt began the brighter of the two sides. A dangerous early cross from Trézéguet in the second minute forced Nwabali into sharp action as he claimed the ball ahead of Salah’s run. Moments later, Salah began to impose himself on the match, splitting open the Nigerian defence with a perfectly weighted pass for Trézéguet, only for Nwabali to rush off his line and smother the chance.

Salah Denied as Nwabali Controls His Area

In the 24th minute, Salah created another opening when he played Zizo into the box. Zizo attempted a cut‑back toward Trézéguet, but the Nigerian defence intervened. Salah then came closest to scoring in the first half when Mohamed Hany’s delivery forced Nwabali into an uncomfortable spill. The Egyptian captain pounced on the loose ball, but Semi Ajayi blocked the follow‑up to preserve the clean sheet.

Nigeria thought they had taken the lead in the 39th minute when Akor Adams headed home, but VAR intervened and ruled out the goal after Paul Onuachu was adjudged to have committed a foul. The frustration continued early in the second half, when Adams was again involved in a disallowed goal after straying offside before setting up Lookman.

Nigeria Grow Into the Match

Raphael Onyedika tested Egypt’s goalkeeper with a long‑range effort in the 50th minute, but Shobeir handled it. Nigeria’s defensive work continued to rely heavily on Nwabali’s composure, timing, and anticipation. Bright Osayi‑Samuel produced an excellent recovery run before injury forced him off in the 62nd minute, signalling another reshuffle for the Super Eagles.

As the clock ticked down, Nigeria felt they deserved a penalty when Akor Adams appeared to be pushed in the box by Hamdy Fathy, but the referee waved play on. Egypt nearly capitalised as Salah slipped Marmoush through on goal, yet once again Nwabali and Ajayi combined to snuff out the danger.

Salah’s last big moment came in the 88th minute with a free kick from a promising position, but he fired straight into the wall, summing up the Pharaohs’ frustration against Nwabali’s command of his goalmouth.

Penalty Shootout: Nwabali the AFCON 2025 Hero

After a tense 90 minutes, the bronze‑medal match ended 0–0, and with no extra time played in AFCON third‑place fixtures, the match went straight to penalties. Here, the defining storyline of the night was sealed.

Stanley Nwabali saved two Egyptian penalties, including one that mirrored the dangers he had snuffed out from Salah and Marmoush during open play. His positioning, anticipation, and calmness supplied the decisive edge Nigeria needed.

Once Nwabali placed the Super Eagles in control, substitute Ademola Lookman stepped up and converted the winning penalty with composure, completing Nigeria’s 4–2 shootout victory and securing the AFCON 2025 bronze medal.

Nwabali Magic

This match will be remembered for Nigeria’s consistency in bronze finals, eight appearances, eight wins but above all for Nwabali’s defining performance. His saves against Salah, his denial of Marmoush, and his shootout heroics solidify his status as the breakout star goalkeeper of AFCON 2025.

With the bronze medal decided, attention turns to Sunday’s final in Rabat, where hosts Morocco seek their first continental crown since 1976 when they face defending champions Senegal.