May 31, 2024
Three-time African champions Nigeria booked their spot in the final fixture of the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a hard-earned penalty shootout victory over South Africa at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire this evening.
Although the first half of the encounter was a cagey affair, South Africa created the most and clearest chances, as they looked to progress into the final and possibly lay a claim on their first AFCON trophy since their last win in 1996.
Percy Tau came close to opening the lead around the 30th minute, but Stanley Nwabali denied the Al Ahly’s forward, before the shot-stopper saved Evidence Makgopa’s curler effort to keep Nigeria in the game.
Nigeria also created chances of their own, but the West African giant couldn’t direct their efforts past Ronwen Williams, with Victor Osimhen particularly missing a couple of chances to put his side head.
About 22 minutes into the second half, Osimhen redeemed himself by winning a penalty for the Super Eagles, after the forward’s energetic drive was clumsily halted by Teboho Mokoena inside the box.
William Troost-Ekong who converted the Eagles’ spot-kick against Côte d’Ivoire assumed the responsibility again today, this time, also scoring to put his head at the Stade de la Paix.
Jose Peseiro’s men thought they had doubled their lead in the 85th minute, but a lengthy VAR review found a smoking gun in the build-up, as Alhassan Yusuf was found to have fouled Tau in Nwabali’s box for a penalty to South Africa instead.
Teboho Mokoena calmly converted from the spot in the 90th minute to stretch the match into extra time.
After 30 minutes of end-to-end display, Nigeria and South Africa headed for penalties, and the Super Eagles came out tops, courtesy of Nwabali’s double saves and Kelechi Iheanacho’s decisive last kick.
The three-time African champions will on Sunday face the victor between hosts Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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