Video: Iwobi discloses bet with Egypt goalkeeper during AFCON third-place penalty drama
Iwobi
Abdullateef Fowewe
In a moment of pure AFCON drama, Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi revealed the cheeky pre-penalty exchange with Egypt’s goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy that had fans buzzing ahead of the Super Eagles’ 4-2 shootout triumph over the Pharaohs in the third-place playoff on January 17.
The viral clip captures Iwobi recounting the banter to teammate Samuel Chukwueze.
“He said to me, Habibi! I know where you’re going to go. If I save the penalty, you give me your shirt,” Iwobi shared with a grin.
“I said, ‘No problem.’ And he said, ‘Okay, let’s go.’ Then I scored and just laughed.”
El Shenawy’s psychological ploy – a classic tactic backed by sports psychology studies showing verbal jabs rarely rattle elite performers like Iwobi – fell flat, underscoring the star’s ice-cool nerves amid the heated Nigeria-Egypt rivalry.
The exchange not only sealed Nigeria’s bronze medal but lit up social media, delighting fans hungry for behind-the-scenes gems from Africa’s biggest tournament.
