The Flying Eagles of Nigeria claimed the bronze medal at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over host nation Egypt, with substitute goalkeeper Rufai Abubakar emerging as the unexpected hero.

In a tightly contested third-place match that ended goalless after regulation time, Nigeria’s technical crew, led by Aliyu Zubairu, made a bold late move by substituting starting goalkeeper Yakub for Abubakar in the final moments of the game — a decision that proved to be a tactical masterstroke.

Abubakar, who had not featured in the tournament until the final minutes of this match, showed nerves of steel as he saved two crucial penalties, silencing the home crowd and securing a 4-2 shootout win for Nigeria.

The young goalkeeper, who plays for Mavlon FC of Lagos, displayed remarkable composure and confidence despite the pressure from Egyptian fans, ensuring that the Flying Eagles did not leave the tournament empty-handed.

Nigeria’s penalty takers were clinical, converting all four of their kicks to cap off a memorable evening.

This marks the fifth time the Flying Eagles have finished third in the AFCON U-20 tournament. Nigeria remains the most successful team in the competition’s history, with seven titles and two runners-up finishes.

The performance of Abubakar, a former Golden Eaglets goalkeeper, has drawn widespread acclaim, with many calling it a moment of brilliance that reinforces Nigeria’s depth in youth football.