When Egypt stepped up for penalties on January 18, 2025, Stanley Nwabali refused to blink. With Nigeria’s AFCON journey hanging by a thread, the Super Eagles goalkeeper rose to the moment, denying Mohamed Salah and steering Nigeria to a dramatic 4–2 shootout victory over Egypt to claim the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria earned $2.5 million (approximately ₦3.56 billion, based on current exchange rates) for finishing third at the tournament, following the tense third-place playoff decided on penalties in Casablanca. The match ended goalless after regulation time, with both sides unable to find a breakthrough despite moments of pressure and intensity.
Nigeria’s path to the bronze medal came after falling short in the semifinals, but the team showed resilience and determination to bounce back against a formidable Egyptian side eager to claim their own consolation prize.
Nwabali emerged as the hero of the night, producing two crucial saves during the shootout, including a decisive stop against Egyptian talisman Mohamed Salah. His composure and sharp reflexes proved vital as Nigeria converted four of their spot-kicks to seal their ninth third-place finish in AFCON history.
Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman all converted confidently for Nigeria, while Egypt’s hopes faded after misses from Salah and Omar Marmoush handed the Super Eagles a commanding edge.
Elsewhere, Senegal were crowned champions of AFCON 2025 for the second time in their history after edging hosts Morocco 1–0 in a dramatic final that went into extra time in Rabat. Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal, firing a powerful strike into the top corner to settle a chaotic contest.
Prize money for the 2025 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations saw a significant increase, with CAF President Patrice Motsepe announcing a record $10 million for the champions, up from $7 million in 2023. Morocco, as runners-up, received $4 million, while Nigeria’s third-place finish earned $2.5 million. Fourth-placed Egypt took home $1.3 million.
Quarter-finalists each received $800,000, teams finishing third in their groups earned $700,000, while those placed fourth collected $500,000, reflecting CAF’s continued push to grow African football and reward performance on the continental stage.
Speaking earlier at a pre-tournament briefing in Rabat, Motsepe highlighted the steady rise in prize money, saying, “It was less than $5 million before 2023, and we increased it to $7 million. So if you win, you’ll get $10 million, and that’s the key objective as we move forward. We will continue to increase the prize money for the most important competition in Africa.”
Nwabali’s heroics ensured Nigeria departed Morocco with both pride and prize money intact, a fitting reward for a team that demonstrated character when it mattered most. The increased financial rewards signal a promising future for African football, with nations now better compensated for their continental campaigns.

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