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AFCON 2025: Ighalo believes Egypt will defeat Nigeria because “they’ll redeem themselves.”January 15, 2026Written by John Owen Nwachukwu

Odion Ighalo, a former striker for Manchester United and Nigeria, has predicted that the Super Eagles will defeat Egypt in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations third-place game.

Nigeria, which lost to Morocco on penalty shootout in the competition quarterfinals, will play the Pharaohs of Egypt in the third-place match.

Despite their best efforts, Nigeria lost to the host country 4-2 on penalties when Bruno Onyemaechi and Samuel Chukwueze gave away their kicks.

Ighalo believes that defeating the North African powerhouses in the third-place match is the only way the Super Eagles can make amends.

The former Wolves forward who was providing commentary on SuperSport stated, “I know they don’t want to play third-place, but it’s still a chance to fight for a bronze. I was there in 2019 too.

“I was sad against Algeria in the semi final, but this is what it is. Egypt wants to redeem themselves, to get something going back home.

“So I want Nigeria to go all out with that game, to try to win, to get something back home too. I believe Nigeria will do well in that game and try to win, because they don’t have anything to appease the fans back home.

“Now they’re not going to the World Cup. They are not playing the final, so they only have this chance now to redeem themselves. They’ll win that third place.”

Sadio Mane’s lone goal was the deciding factor in Senegal’s 1-0 victory over Egypt in the semifinal match on Wednesday.

The 2025 AFCON final will now pit the Taranga Lions against the Atlas Lions.

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