Egypt vs. Nigeria Betting Preview – 2026 AFCON Third-Place Odds and Predictions  

• 1^st Place in Group B
• Won 3-1 vs. Benin in extra time (Round of 16)
• Won 3-2 vs. Ivory Coast (Quarterfinals)
• Lost 1-0 vs. Senegal (Semifinals)

Egypt continues to be perplexed by Senegal, who won 1-0 on Wednesday, thanks to a 78^th-minute goal by Sadio Mane. The Pharaohs have now lost five of their last six meetings with Senegal, and have scored a grand total of one goal during that time.

Salah’s AFCON exit deserves praise, not criticism. Only 3 players in Egypt’s XI play in Europe’s top 5 leagues. Senegal? Every player based in Europe.

Egypt relied on Egyptian local clubs to form a team and Salah still dragged them to the semis. Elite achievement. 🇪🇬 pic.twitter.com/1eH2ZmPytv

— Abdinasir Ali-Hassan (@AbdiMedia_) January 14, 2026

Egypt was dominated by Senegal, having only 37% of the ball, but they managed just three shots with their counterattacking plan, and forced Senegalese keeper Edouard Mendy into just one save.

Senegal was obviously looking to shut down Mo Salah, who had three unsuccessful dribbles and didn’t manage a shot. This could be Salah’s final Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt, although he’ll be at the World Cup this summer. Salah, who has scored four goals in this tournament, will be 35 by the next edition of AFCON. While he is in incredible shape, it has to be considered that Egypt’s best-ever player won’t be there in 2027.

• 1^st in Group A
• Won 1-0 vs. Tanzania (Round of 16)
• Won 2-0 vs. Cameroon (Quarterfinals)
• Lost 1-0 vs. Morocco (Penalties) (Semifinals)

Nigeria’s high-powered attack was shut down over 120 minutes against Morocco, then struggled in the shootout to lose 4-2 on penalties. It was a cagey affair between the two teams, and none of the star players on either side involved could break free.

The full drama. The full Nigeria vs Morocco penalty shootout. 🇳🇬🇲🇦#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WePlayDifferent pic.twitter.com/BVE62aSHDA

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 15, 2026

After scoring 14 goals in the tournament, Nigeria had 51% of the ball against Morocco, but had just two shots, and one on target. The duo of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman was shut down by Morocco. The Super Eagles’ best player was defender Calvin Bassey, who will miss this game after yellow-card accumulation. He was immense at the back for Nigeria, even knowing that he would miss a potential final. However, they’ll have captain Wilfried Ndidi back, however, after the midfielder missed the AFCON semifinal through suspension.

Nigeria finished third at AFCON in 2019, and they were runners-up to the Ivory Coast in 2023. The Egypt vs. Nigeria odds favor them to make it to the podium once again.