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Egypt and Nigeria are preparing for a strong and exciting match this Saturday, as part of the third and fourth place playoff in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Both sides aim to end their continental participation on a positive note after being eliminated in the semi-finals.
The African Football Confederation (CAF) has appointed the refereeing team for the match. The Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed will officiate the game, assisted by his compatriots Zakaria Prince and Mustafa Akarkad. The Algerian referee Lahlu Benbrahim will serve as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), supported by the Tunisian Haitham Kirat and the Moroccan Hamza Al-Fariq.
The match will be held at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca at 6:00 PM Libya time.
Both teams hope to secure third place after each failed to reach the final, with ambitions to end the tournament honorably, reflecting the level they displayed throughout their journey in the competition.
The coach of the Egyptian national team expressed satisfaction with his players’ performance in the tournament, despite the sadness of not reaching the final. He confirmed his happiness with the fans’ reaction to the team’s efforts and noted that the ambition was to win the title.
For his part, the coach of the Nigerian national team emphasized the importance of the third-place match, considering that achieving a high position is a crowning achievement for the effort and work the team put in during the tournament.
He described the match against Egypt as strong, pointing out that the “Pharaohs” possess great capabilities in terms of morale, technical performance, and speed in transitioning between defense and attack.
Egypt
Egypt is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over 5,000 years and famed for its pharaonic monuments like the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Its rich cultural legacy includes significant contributions to writing, architecture, and religion, later influenced by Greco-Roman, Coptic Christian, and Islamic periods following its conquests. Today, its ancient sites along the Nile River continue to be major archaeological and tourist destinations.
Nigeria
Nigeria is a West African country with a rich history shaped by ancient kingdoms like the Nri, Benin, and Oyo, as well as the transatlantic slave trade. It gained independence from British colonial rule in 1960 and is now Africa’s most populous nation, known for its vibrant cultural diversity, including over 250 ethnic groups and globally influential music and film industries.
Morocco
Morocco is a North African country with a rich history shaped by indigenous Amazigh (Berber) cultures, Arab influence from the 7th century, and successive dynasties like the Almoravids and Almohads. Its cultural sites, such as the ancient city of Fez and the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, reflect this blend of Arab, Islamic, and Amazigh heritage. The country’s historic medinas, kasbahs, and varied landscapes from the Sahara Desert to the Atlas Mountains are central to its identity.
Casablanca
Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city and a major economic hub, originally settled by Berbers and later developed under French colonial rule in the 20th century. It is renowned for its Art Deco architecture and the monumental Hassan II Mosque, one of the world’s largest mosques, which was completed in 1993 and extends over the Atlantic Ocean.
Mohammed V Stadium
The Mohammed V Stadium is a major multi-purpose stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, inaugurated in 1955. It is named after Sultan Mohammed V, a key figure in the country’s independence movement, and serves as the home ground for the popular football clubs Raja and Wydad de Casablanca.
Africa Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations is the premier international men’s football competition in Africa, first held in 1957. It was founded to unite African nations emerging from colonialism and is organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The tournament is held every two years and has grown to become a major global sporting event.
African Football Confederation
The African Football Confederation (CAF) is the administrative and controlling body for association football in Africa, founded in 1957. It organizes major continental competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations, and has played a significant role in developing the sport across the continent.
CAF
CAF is the acronym for the Confederation of African Football, the administrative and governing body for association football in Africa. Founded in 1957 in Khartoum, Sudan, it organizes continental competitions like the Africa Cup of Nations and oversees the development of football across its member associations.
