Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Wednesday at Stade de la Paix in Bouake defeated 10-man South Africa in a penalty shootout to qualify for the AFCON 2023 final billed for Sunday, Februuary 11, Completesports.com reports.
Stanley Nwabali was the hero after making two saves in penalty shootout session as the Eagles won 4-2 after regulation time ended 1-1.
Man-of-the-Match, Stanley Nwabali
The Eagles have now reached a first final since 2023.
It is now four straight wins against South Africa at the AFCON for the Eagles.
The Super Eagles will face the winner of Wednesday’s second semi-final match between host nation Côte d’Ivoire and DR Congo – ongoing at the time of this report – in Sunday’s final.
Also Read: Nigeria Vs South Africa Live Blogging – AFCON 2023 Semi-Final Match
The Eagles had the first attempt on goal early in the game but Victor Osimhen was stopped by the opponent defenders.
On 39 minutes South Africa had the first chance on goal but Nwabali made a good onone-handave.
Ola Aina vs Percy Tau
The Eagles started on a positive note in the second half and deservedly took the lead on 66 minutes as William Troost-Ekong scored from the penalty spot for a foul on Osimhen.
With five minutes left, Osimhen thought he had doubled the Eagles lead but after VAR check it was disallowed and a penalty awarded to South Africa.
Teboho Mokoena converted the spot kick on 90 minutes to make it 1-1.
South Africa almost snatched a late winner from a rebound but the ball was blasted over the bar.
South Africa had a player sent off late in the second half extra time for a foul on Moffi.
After both teams failed to find the winner the game went into penalties with Nwabali making two saves as the Eagles won 4-2.
Terem Moffi, Kenneth Omeruo, Captain William Troost-Ekong and Kelechi Iheanacho converted their spot kick for the Super Eagles while Ola Aina fail to put his kick on target. For Bafana Bafana, Mihlali Mayambela and Evidence Magpopa scored from the spot after Teboho Makoena missed their first kick
By Adeboye Amosu, in Bouake
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COMMENTS
Fear no let me watch the shootout,pls paseiro should not play that Yusuf again
I reckon you guys wanted Yusuf??
You can’t blame him on that penalty that was destined to happen. Let’s move to the next things and see how some player pick up and perform well at the final else we’ll might not win the trophy we don’t get clinical.
I only asked @Michel a question,i am not against Yusuf’s involvement in the game.
Oga their keeper didn’t make any save. Aina just missed the target.
Correction. Their goal keeper did not save any penalty. Aina blasted the ball over the bar.
Michael, I do not blame you for been scared stiff to watch the penalty. I summoned courage to watch it. Alex Iwobi was a disaster in the game. He runs like a penguin. He should be banned from playing and watching any Super Eagle ganes even from inside is room or closet. SE saved a lot of people from dying.
Haba! Why this harsh punishment on Iwobi?
I hope Nigerians in South Africa are safe
Thank God we overcome a scary end.
I will not blame Alhasan Yusuf for the penalty he conceded, the guy is a baller, he added bite to Eagles midfield, Onyeka was a hard nut to crack , the guy worked his socks off, It Alhasan that gave Terrem off that defense splitting pass that almost led to our second goal, that was something I won I could not do Al day long, Iwobi is a good player but he has out inside the first half,, kudos to boys and the our goal keeper Nwanbali.