The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Wednesday beat South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on penalties in the ongoing African Cup of Nations, AFCON, 2023.
Goalkeeper STANLEY NWABALI saved the day as he saved two penalty kicks for the Super Eagles.
Nigeria were hoping to make it into their fourth AFCON final but were made to work for it early in the first half as South Africa bossed early proceedings.
After 85 minutes of a hard-fought, back-and-forth affair where Nigeria was leading 1-nil despite chances on both ends, it appeared the Super Eagles had put the match away as VICTOR OSIMHEN‘S goal put them 2-nil up with just a few minutes remaining, but VAR disallowed OSIMHEN’S goal, however a pulling play back for a foul in the Nigeria penalty area awarded South Africa a chance to equalize.
TEBOHO MOKOENA would do just that, bringing Bafana Bafana level with just minutes remaining.
After a goal-less 30 minutes, it advanced to a penalty shootout, where RONWEN WILLIAMS missed a penalty kick.
Nigeria later advanced 4-2 as KELECHI IHENACHO’S penalty kick booked a place for the Super Eagles in the final.
Since making it to the AFCON final on home soil in 2000, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have only made it that far once, in 2013, when they went all the way to win the tournament.