News
Nigeria Faces Egypt in AFCON 2025 Third-Place Clash
Nigeria and Egypt meet in the 2025 AFCON third-place playoff in Casablanca, seeking consolation after semi-final exits
Nigeria and Egypt will clash in the third-place playoff of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca tomorrow, January 17, with kick-off scheduled for 5 pm Nigerian time.
Also read: CAF to Hold 2027 AFCON Qualifiers Preliminary Draw
The fixture follows contrasting semi-final defeats for both sides. Nigeria fell to hosts Morocco in a tense penalty shootout, 4–2, after a 0–0 draw, with goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali keeping the Super Eagles in contention for 120 minutes.
Egypt lost narrowly to Senegal, 1–0, in Tangier, conceding a late goal from Sadio Mané.
Nigeria arrived in Morocco as tournament favourites, topping their group with three wins and eight goals before advancing past Mozambique and Algeria in the knockout rounds.
Egypt’s campaign emphasised structure and resilience, topping their group with two wins and a draw and edging Benin and Ivory Coast in the knockout stages.
For the third-place match, Nigeria will be without Calvin Bassey due to suspension, though Wilfred Ndidi returns, while Victor Osimhen’s fitness remains under assessment.
Egypt may rotate their squad, with Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush expected to lead the attack.
Tactically, Nigeria are likely to press high and utilise wide combinations through Ademola Lookman, while Egypt may adopt a compact setup and counter-attack through Salah.
Historically, both nations have a storied rivalry dating back to 1960, with Nigeria winning several past encounters and Egypt prevailing in others.
Also read: CAF Appoints Referee for Nigeria vs Morocco AFCON Clash
The match offers both sides a final chance to turn semi-final disappointment into continental recognition.
In a decisive move aimed at alleviating the economic burdens of retired public servants, Zamfara State Governor, Dr Dauda Lawal, has officially approved increased monthly pension payments for all former workers from both state and local government offices. The approval follows an extensive financial review of retirees’ living conditions, with particular attention to those in lower-income brackets who have been disproportionately affected by the prevailing cost-of-living crisis.
The decision was precipitated by the findings and recommendations of a special committee empaneled to evaluate the welfare situation of pensioners across the state. The committee’s report highlighted acute financial distress among aging retirees and called for immediate remedial action. In response, the state government has authorized a substantive upward adjustment in monthly pension stipends.
This increment aligns seamlessly with the Federal Government’s Minimum Wage Act of 2024, which explicitly recommended an additional monthly sum of at least N32,000 for pensioners. Governor Lawal has opted for full implementation of this advisory for all retired state and local government employees a policy intervention expected to benefit thousands of households across Zamfara. The state government has subsequently issued binding directives to all relevant agencies to ensure the expeditious and seamless disbursement of the enhanced payments without procedural delays.
Speaking on the development, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mahmud Muhammad Dantawasa, characterized the policy as a tangible demonstration of Governor Lawal’s unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for both active and former government workers. According to the Commissioner, the administration operates on the principle that dignified retirement includes access to basic necessities and financial comfort. Beneficiaries across all local government areas have been assured of prompt payment once implementation commences.
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