Super Eagles playmaker Alex Iwobi has expressed reservations about the relevance of third-place matches, despite Nigeria securing a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Egypt to finish third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Iwobi was one of the standout players at the 2025 Afcon, featuring in every single match at the tournament in Morocco with the exception of Nigeria's win versus Uganda's Cranes. 

Although he managed two assists over the course of six matches, the Hale End Academy graduate was involved in the build-up to most of the goals netted by the Super Eagles at Afcon 2025.

Iwobi helped Nigeria beat Egypt in Saturday's third place playoff, coming off the bench for the final twenty-five minutes and converted his spot-kick in the penalty shootout. 

Speaking after the encounter, Iwobi admitted that the match posed a significant mental challenge for the Nigerian players, coming so soon after the disappointment of their heartbreaking semifinal loss to Morocco. 

"We were surrounded by doubts after failing to qualify for the World Cup. We wanted to win gold and ended up finishing third," Iwobi told beIN SPORTS. 

"The match was mentally difficult, because I don't think a player can get rid of the effect of a loss in the semi-finals, and I don't agree with holding a third-place match, but in the end we won it."

The Super Eagles midfielder highlighted the quality within the Egyptian squad, led by Premier League forwards Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, whose spot-kicks were kept out by Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali.

"The Egyptian national team played a strong match, and we studied and watched footage of them in preparation for the match.

"Morocco is a beautiful country, with beautiful stadiums and beautiful hotels. I enjoyed the hospitality and visited the city of Marrakech and was impressed by what I saw."

Ifeanyi Emmanuel