A former Nigeria and Manchester United striker, Odion Ighalo has said that the Super Eagles will beat Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations third-place match on Saturday.
Nigeria will face the Pharaohs of Egypt in the third-place game after losing to Morocco on penalty shootout in the semifinals of the competition.
Nigeria would have hoped to push through but had to succumb to the host nation 4-2 on penalties with Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi given their kicks away.
Talking about the third-place game, Ighalo feels it is the only way the Super Eagles can redeem themselves by beating the North African giants.
The former Wolves attacker who was on punditry duties on SuperSport, said, “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.”
Egypt were beaten 1-0 by Senegal in the semifinal game played on Wednesday with Sadio Mane’s lone strike being the decider.
The Taranga Lions and the Atlas Lions will now play the final of the 2025 AFCON.