AFCON: SUPER EAGLES WIN BANANA BAFANA AFTER DRAMATIC SHOOT-OUT
AFCON: SUPER EAGLES WIN BANANA BAFANA AFTER DRAMATIC SHOOT-OUT
Nigeria sealed their place in the Africa Cup of Nations final after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory against South Africa on Wednesday. There was a stunning end to normal time as Nigeria led 1-0 and thought they’d scored a second before VAR intervened and awarded South Africa a penalty. Teboho Mokoena scored to send the game into extra time but Nigeria recovered to claim victory on penalties.
Nigeria’s players celebrate the victory at the end of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 semi-final football match between Nigeria and South Africa at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake on February 7, 2024.
Two saves from Bobo Nwabali helped Nigeria beat South Africa 4-2 on penalties and reach the final of AFCON. They will now meet Ivory Coast in the final.
Nigeria dominated territory early on but struggled to pick holes in South Africa’s well-organised rearguard. South Africa, meanwhile, targeted the space in behind the Nigeria defence, and that clarity of purpose helped them look the more dangerous side
The first half, though, was goalless, and Nigeria picked it up thereafter, eventually forging in front when captain William Troost-Ekong scored from the penalty spot.
Then, on 85 minutes, they looked to have sealed the game with Victor Osimhen finishing a terrific counter. But VAR brought play back to the start of the move, finding that Alhassan Yusuf had fouled Percy Tau, and as the clocked ticked over the 90-minute mark, Teboho Mokoena scored from the spot.
Both sides pushed for a winner in extra time but neither managed it, and though Ola Aina missed Nigeria’s third penalty, Mokoena, Evidence Makgopa and Mothobi Mvala missed South Africa’s first, third and fourth to send the Super Eagles into the final.
