Nigeria’s Super Eagles defeated South Africa on penalties, securing their spot in their first Africa Cup of Nations final since 2013.
Following a frantic first half, Victor Osimhen was brought down, and William Troost-Ekong scored from the spot to give the Super Eagles the lead.
When Osimhen hammered home a goal in the final seconds of regulation time, the Nigerians believed they had doubled their lead. However, a VAR check not only disallowed the goal but also gave South Africa a penalty after Alhassan Yusuf fouled Percy Tau inside the box.
Teboho Mokoena equalized from the spot, and in the closing seconds of the game, Khuliso Mudau missed a fantastic chance to win the match for Bafana Bafana.
In a relatively quiet extra time, South Africa’s Grant Kekana was sent off before Nigeria won the penalty shootout.
After a 1-1 draw on Wednesday, Nigeria’s goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties in the shootout to lead his team to a 4-2 victory over South Africa and a spot in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Nigeria entered the continental finals having lost five of their previous six semi-finals, but they overcame some anxious moments to secure a spot in the decider on Sunday against either the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the hosts, Ivory Coast, who meet later on Wednesday.
Midway through the second half, William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead with a penalty kick. Teboho Mokoena of South Africa then earned a spot-kick of his own in the final minute of play to tie the score.
Defensor Grant Kekana was sent off in extra time as Nigeria applied constant pressure to South Africa, which also lost composure in the shootout when Nwabali made saves from Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa.
The Bafana Bafana lost their first semi-final since 2000 as they were unable to replicate their quarter-final penalty success.
On Sunday, February 11, 2024, Nigeria will play the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the hosts, Cote d’Ivoire.
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