Sat Jan 17 17:00:00 UTC 2026: # Egypt and Nigeria Face Off in Highly Anticipated AFCON Third-Place Playoff
The Story:
Egypt and Nigeria are set to clash in a third-place playoff match at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that feels more significant than a typical consolation game. Both teams, having fallen short of reaching the final, are eager to end the tournament on a high note. Egypt, frustrated by their narrow defeat to Senegal, seeks to prove their potential wasn’t fully realized. Nigeria, agonizingly eliminated in a penalty shootout, aims to showcase their quality despite the disappointment.
Key Points:
- The match between Egypt and Nigeria will be broadcast live on beIN SPORTS.
- Egypt’s coach, Hossam Hassan, attributes their loss to Senegal to insufficient preparation time.
- Hossam Hassan emphasizes Egypt’s historical dominance in AFCON, aiming for a winning finish.
- Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed Mohamed Salah will participate in the game before returning to his club.
- Nigeria’s coach, Eric Chelle, believes his team was possibly the best in the tournament and wants to end with pride.
Key Takeaways:
- The third-place playoff between Egypt and Nigeria carries more weight than usual, driven by the desire of both teams to salvage their AFCON campaign.
- Both teams are highly motivated to win, despite the disappointment of not reaching the final.
- The match offers an opportunity for both coaches to assess their teams’ performance and make adjustments for future competitions.
- Mohamed Salah’s participation adds significant interest to the game, although his involvement with Liverpool adds another layer of logistics to the match.
First Piper 