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01/17 12:52 CST Nwabali denies Salah, saves 2 penalties as Nigeria beats Egypt
for 3rd place at Africa Cup
Nwabali denies Salah, saves 2 penalties as Nigeria beats Egypt for 3rd place at
Africa Cup
CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) --- Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties
including the first from Mohamed Salah for Nigeria to beat Egypt 4-2 in a
penalty shootout for third place at the Africa Cup Nations on Saturday.
Ademola Lookman scored the winning penalty.
Salah and Omar Marmoush had their penalty kicks saved by Nwabali at the start
of the shootout after the teams drew 0-0 in normal time. No extra time was
played for the consolation of a bronze medal.
It was the Super Eagles' second consecutive penalty shootout following a
scoreless draw after losing the semifinal to Morocco on penalties on Wednesday.
Nwabali produced a strong hand to stop a well-taken penalty from Salah, then
thwarted Marmoush's effort straight down the middle with his foot.
Salah had been kept quiet by Nigeria's defenders and was unable to add to his
11 Africa Cup goals altogether.
Victor Osimhen remained on Nigeria's substitutes' bench, suggesting he was
carrying an injury from the semifinal defeat to Morocco. Osimhen was taken off
in extra time of that game just before the penalty shootout.
The Super Eagles ended the Africa Cup on a positive note in contrast to the
last edition, where they lost in the final to host Ivory Coast.
Morocco and Senegal will contest the final in Rabat on Sunday. Sadio Man's
goal was enough to send Senegal through with a 1-0 win over Egypt in their
semifinal.
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AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
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