Dele-Bashiru Delighted With Super Eagles’ AFCON Bronze Despite Penalty Miss

Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has expressed his delight after Nigeria secured third place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, even though he missed the team’s first penalty in the decisive shootout against Egypt.

The match, played in Casablanca, ended 0–0 in normal time before Nigeria prevailed 4–2 on penalties to claim the bronze medal in the continental showpiece. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was the hero, making crucial saves that ultimately swung the shootout in Nigeria’s favour.

Dele-Bashiru — who plays his club football with Lazio — was the first Eagle to step up during the shootout, but his effort was saved by the Egyptian keeper. Despite the miss, the 24 year old said he was still proud to be part of the team’s success and happy the Super Eagles “got over the line” to secure the win.

He added that although things don’t always go a player’s way, the team’s achievement in claiming the bronze medal was a positive way to end their AFCON campaign in Morocco.

EDITORIAL

Football has a curious way of testing conviction not just in matches won, but in shots missed and yet still remembered. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s experience in Nigeria’s third-place playoff at AFCON 2025 was emblematic of this duality personal disappointment intertwined with collective triumph.

To miss a penalty — particularly the first in a shootout is to bear a brief but vivid moment under the microscope of expectation. Yet Dele-Bashiru’s reaction, his grace in acknowledging both the miss and the ultimate victory, speaks to a maturity beyond mere statistics. In a tournament defined by narrow margins and tactical nuance, he was part of a squad that did not flinch when the moment arrived, even if his own contribution faltered briefly under pressure.

The Super Eagles’ path to the bronze medal was not straightforward. A goalless draw against Egypt in regulation play required composure, belief and a readiness to face the lottery of penalties a realm where psychological resilience often outweighs physical prowess. In this crucible, Stanley Nwabali emerged as the defining figure, his saves turning potential despair into jubilation. Yet football remains a team sport, and Dele-Bashiru’s acceptance of his role — both the good and the less flattering mirrors a collective mentality that prioritises shared success over individual perfection.

What makes this episode compelling is not just the result, but the character it revealed young players willing to shoulder responsibility, leaders ready to inspire, and a squad that managed to convert mixed moments into a medal-winning story. In an era where narratives are too often written by the flashiest statistics, it matters that a player like Dele-Bashiru can find pride in the team’s victory — even when his own moment did not go according to plan.

Football’s great lessons are forged in such contrasts in the fine line between triumph and regret, and in the collective spirit that turns a missed penalty into just one part of a far larger success.

DID YOU KNOW?

1. Nigeria won the AFCON 2025 third-place playoff on penalties after a 0–0 draw in regulation time, maintaining their unbeaten record in third-place matches.
2. Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties from Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush in the shootout, decisively contributing to Nigeria’s victory.
3. Nigeria’s bronze medal at AFCON 2025 was their ninth overall, extending their record as the most successful nation in third-place matches in the competition’s history.
4. Dele-Bashiru was making his first AFCON appearance for the Super Eagles during the 2025 tournament, adding significance to his participation despite the penalty miss.
5. Akor Adams, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman all converted their penalties following Dele-Bashiru’s miss, helping secure the shootout win for Nigeria.