Fisayo Dele-Bashiru Plays Down Penalty Miss In Super Eagles’ AFCON Third-Place Match

Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has played down his missed penalty after Nigeria clinched the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), insisting the team’s achievement mattered more than any personal disappointment.

The midfielder, who plays his club football with Lazio, was handed the responsibility of taking Nigeria’s opening kick in Saturday’s third-place playoff shootout against Egypt at the Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca. His effort was kept out by Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, momentarily putting the Super Eagles under pressure.

That setback, however, proved to be only a brief wobble. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerged as Nigeria’s hero, producing two crucial saves to steer the team to a 4-2 victory on penalties after a tense goalless draw. The result earned Nigeria a record ninth bronze medal at the AFCON.

The moment carried extra significance for Dele-Bashiru. The 24-year-old was featuring at the tournament for the first time and was determined to focus on the positives of leaving Morocco with silverware.

“It’s my first AFCON. Going home with a bronze medal is better than nothing,” he said.

“We came here to win the gold, but that didn’t happen, and I am just happy that we could take something.”

The midfielder also revealed that stepping up first in the shootout was a decision he made himself.

“It was my decision. It takes a lot of confidence to step up first to take a penalty, and I’m a confident player. I believed in myself that I was going to score,” Dele-Bashiru told reporters after the game.

“But of course, sometimes, some things go your way, some things don’t go your way. I’m just happy in the end that the team got the job done.”