AFCON: Iwobi finally breaks silence, reveals what Egyptian goalkeeper told him before penalty kick

Nigeria ended their AFCON campaign with pride after a dramatic third-place playoff victory over Egypt, but fresh details from the match have now sparked renewed online debate.

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has revealed the exact words Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy told him moments before his penalty during the tense shootout.

Nigeria and Egypt met on Saturday, January 17, in the third-place match after both sides suffered semi-final heartbreaks earlier in the tournament.

The Super Eagles lost narrowly to hosts Morocco, while Egypt were edged out by eventual champions Senegal.

Penalty Shootout Drama Unfolds

After 90 minutes of tight, goalless football, the contest was decided from the penalty spot, with Nigeria holding their nerve to win 4–2.

Ademola Lookman scored the decisive kick, sealing the bronze medal and sparking celebrations among Nigerian fans.

However, attention quickly shifted to a viral video from the shootout, showing El-Shenawy appearing to exchange words with Iwobi before his kick.

What El-Shenawy Told Iwobi

Iwobi has now explained what really happened during that moment.

In a behind-the-scenes Super Eagles video, Lookman asked him directly: “What did the keeper say to you bro?”

Iwobi replied jokingly: “He said, ‘Iwobi, I know where you’re going to play it. If I save your penalty, you’ll give me your shirt.’ I said no problem🤣”

Calm Response, Perfect Finish

Despite the attempted mind game, Iwobi calmly converted his penalty, keeping Nigeria firmly in control of the shootout.

Lookman then stepped up to score the final kick, ending Egypt’s resistance and confirming Nigeria’s victory.

Positive End to AFCON Campaign

The third-place finish ensured Nigeria ended the tournament on a high note after semi-final disappointment.

The result restored confidence within the squad and offered optimism ahead of upcoming international fixtures.