Super Eagles beat South Africa to reach AFCON 2023 final
For the first time since 2013, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after defeating South Africa 4-2 in a penalty shootout at the Peace Stadium of Bouake on Wednesday.
Both sides managed to keep each other at bay until the 67th minute of the game when captain William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead from the penalty spot after Victor Osimhen was brought down inside the 18-yard box.
Nigeria maintained the lead until the 90th minute when Alhassan Yusuf fouled Percy Tau inside the 18-yard box, initially ignored by the referee, allowing Osimhen to score from the play at the other end.
However, the goal was chalked off by VAR and a penalty was awarded to South Africa, which Teboho Mokoena calmly converted by sending goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali the other way.
After 30 minutes of extra time played and still no winning goal from either side, the game went into a penalty shootout, which Nigeria won after Nwabali’s heroism, saving two penalties.
Nigeria will face the winner of the second semi-final game between hosts Côte d’Ivoire and DR Congo in the final of this year’s tournament on Sunday.
Meanwhile, South Africa will face the loser of the game between Côte d’Ivoire and DR Congo in the third-place playoff on Saturday.
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