Egypt vs Nigeria Predictions

This is going to be a keenly contested encounter. The Pharaohs may have the edge over Nigeria, as they won the pre AFCON friendly, but the best bet in this game is under 3.5

Match info: AFCON Third Place

Venue: Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca

Date: Saturday, 17^th January 2026

Time: 5 pm Nigerian time

Fresh off disappointing semi-final heartbreaks at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt and Nigeria must go again in Saturday’s third place playoff match in Casablanca.

The Pharaohs fell to a 1-0 loss against Senegal in the last four, while Nigeria took tournament hosts Morocco to penalties in the second semi-final, only to suffer disappointment in the shootout in Rabat.

Head-to-head:

• Egypt have won seven of the 21 meetings between the two teams.
• Nigeria recorded nine victories.
• The remaining five clashes ended in draws.
• The last game between these two teams ended in a 2-1 win for the Pharaohs.
• Egypt lost 1-0 against Senegal in their last game.
• Nigeria lost on penalties against Morocco in their last game.
• Three of their last four games ended 1-0.
• Four of their last seven encounters produced at least two goals.

Form:

• Egypt in the AFCON: W-D-W-W-L
• Nigeria in the AFCON: W-W-W-W-L

Team News:

• Mohamed Hamdi will be the only absentee for the Pharaohs.
• Nigeria, on the other hand, will be without Cyriel Dessers for their clash against Egypt, while Calvin Bassey is suspended.

Player(s) to watch:

• Mohamed Salah could not win the title for his nation yet again, but he proved why fans hail him as their best player. He scored four goals and provided an assist in this tournament, delivering phenomenal performances on a personal level. Fans expect him to perform well against Nigeria as well.
• Ademola Lookman has arguably been the best player of this tournament so far. His playmaking was phenomenal throughout the competition as he racked up four assists. He was clinical in front of the goal as well. The player found the back of the net three times against teams like Tanzania, Tunisia, and Mozambique.