Nigeria’s Super Eagles Beat South Africa 4-2 On Penalties To Reach AFCON Final

Nigeria secured a 4-2 victory in a penalty shootout against South Africa In the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final in Bouake on Wednesday.

The thrilling match ended 1-1 after extra time, setting the stage for the three-time champions to face either hosts Ivory Coast or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final on Sunday.

Both regular-time goals were converted penalties, with Nigeria’s captain, William Troost-Ekong, finding the net in the 67th minute, matched by Teboho Mokoena’s 90th-minute equalizer for South Africa.

Controversy arose when Nigeria celebrated what they thought was a second goal from Victor Osimhen’s tap-in. However, VAR intervened, detecting a foul on South Africa’s Percy Tau in the penalty area, leading to the goal’s disallowance.

In added time at the end of regular play, South Africa had an opportunity to claim victory, but Khuliso Mudau’s attempt went over the bar after goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali parried a Mokoena free kick.

South Africa finished the match with 10 men after Grant Kekana was sent off in the 115th minute for a last-defender foul.

Despite an equal number of shots at goal, South Africa had more shots on target, greater possession, and forced more corners in a tense first half.

The match saw moments of drama, including Osimhen’s early discomfort, Semi Ajayi’s tame header from a free-kick, and Percy Tau’s missed opportunities for South Africa.

Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, made a crucial save to deny Evidence Makgopa just before half-time.

In the second half, Troost-Ekong converted a penalty following a foul on Osimhen, breaking the deadlock. Makgopa had a chance to level the score but narrowly missed with 15 minutes remaining.

The game witnessed a disallowed goal, an equalizer, a missed opportunity, and 30 minutes of intense extra time, including a red card for Kekana, before the decisive penalty shootout.

Nigeria entered the semi-final with a flawless record against South Africa in AFCON, having won three previous encounters.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had urged Nigeria’s Super Eagles to win the football match against South Africa on Wednesday.