Kelechi Iheanacho scored the triumphant penalty as Nigeria booked their position in the last of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a 4-2 shootout win over South Africa.
The game in Bouake completed 1-1 following an exceptional finish to ordinary time which included the ref going to his video screen to deny a Victor Osimhen strike which would have put Nigeria 2-0 up – and on second thought granting a penalty to South Africa.
Teboho Mokoena changed over from the spot in the 90th moment to send the game into a goalless time of additional time where Bafana safeguard Award Kekana was shipped off late on.
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Be that as it may, Mokoena was one of two South African players to see their spot-kicks saved by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali as the Super Eagles prevailed to arrive at Sunday’s conclusive, where they will play Ivory Coast after the hosts beat DR Congo.
William Troost-Ekong had opened the scoring for the West Africans with a penalty halfway through the final part, and will presently be hoping to captain Nigeria to their fourth continental title – and a first beginning around 2013.
Nigeria went into the game with an ideal Nations Cup record against South Africa, having beaten Bafana in every one of the three of their past gatherings in the opposition, remembering a semi-last gathering for 2000 in Lagos.
Yet, in spite of being encouraged on by the chaotic horn segment conveyed by the allies in green and white, Jose Peseiro’s side neglected to live up their charging as top choices in a heavy first half which South Africa to a great extent bossed.
Forward Percy Tau had their most obvious opportunity, scraping his shot directly at Nwabali when plain inside the penalty region.
Nigeria’s absence of strength was reflected in the measurements, with African Footballer of the Year Osimhen just overseeing nine contacts in the half, including a header which went wide not long before the break.
In any case, things then spiced up strikingly as Nigeria emerged with more noteworthy purpose in the final part.
Osimhen put one of a few satisfactory headed open doors over the bar before Honest Onyeka blasted inefficiently wide.
The Super Eagles at long last broke the stop in the 67th moment while Osimhen’s driving run was unexpectedly finished inside the penalty region by an unfortunate test from protector Mothobi Mvala.
As in the gathering stage win against Ivory Coast, it was commander Troost-Ekong who accepted penalty obligations as opposed to Osimhen.
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Furthermore, the previous Watford safeguard sent his work down the center and under the legs of Ronwen Williams, the shootout legend for South Africa in the quarter-last win over Cape Verde, as the goalkeeper jumped to one side.
After Proof Makgopa had effervesced a skimming exertion only wide for South Africa, Ademola Lookman ought to have won it for Nigeria yet faltered while attempting to adjust Williams, permitting the manager to plunge at his feet and accumulate the ball.
