The Super Eagles of Nigeria book their place in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final for the first time since winning the competition in 2013, after battling through 4-2 on penalties in a thrilling semi-final clash with Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Wednesday.
The semifinal game finished 1-1 following a remarkable end to normal time which involved the referee going to his video monitor to disallow a Victor Osimhen strike which would have put Nigeria 2-0 up – and instead awarding a penalty to South Africa.
Having registered four successive wins ‘to nil’ in the tournament, Nigeria travelled to Bouaké full of confidence in pursuit of an eighth final appearance. A clash against South Africa – playing in their first AFCON semi-final for 24 years – promised to be a stern test.
After easing their way into the contest, Bafana Bafana created a golden opportunity to take the lead shortly before the half-hour mark, but Percy Tau could only direct his effort straight into the arms of Stanley Nwabili.
South Africa continued to look the more threatening of the two sides with half time approaching, and Nwabili had to be alert in the Nigeria goal to expertly divert Evidence Makgopa’s curled strike around the post.
Victor Osimhen was fouled in the box in the 65th minute, and William Troost-Ekong fired into the back of the net from the spot to give Peseiro’s side a crucial lead. South Africa knew a swift response was needed with time ticking into the final 20 minutes, and Makgopa came within inches of finding an equaliser when his powerful strike from the edge of the box flashed narrowly wide of the far post.
There was still time for a dramatic twist though, as Osimhen thought he’d scored a second for Nigeria, only for the goal to be ruled out after VAR spotted a late tackle from Alhassan Yusuf on Tau in the opposite penalty area moments before.
That sensationally gave Bafana Bafana a late lifeline, and Teboho Mokoena held his nerve from the spot to level the scores in the final minute of the 90’. Armed with the momentum, Hugo Broos’ men could have won it in the dying seconds of stoppage time, but Khuliso Mudau blazed over with the goal at his mercy.
After a gut-wrenching finale, the Suger Eagles looked to regain their composure in extra time, and Peseiro’s men were denied a clear-cut opportunity when substitute Terem Moffi was brought down by Grant Kekana with a free run on goal.
A red card was shown to the South African defender, but Nigeria were unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage as the contest headed to penalty shootout.
Bafana Bafana missed two of their opening three spot-kicks, with Nwabili saving from Mokoena and Makgopa, and that allowed Kelechi Iheanacho to stroke home the decisive penalty sending Nigeria into Sunday’s showpiece against hosts Ivory Coast.
