AFCON 2023: Nigeria outfox South Africa in Bouake, qualify for final

By Harry Awurumibe, Editor-in-Chief, Abuja

The Super Eagles of Nigeria beat Bafana Bafana of South Africa 4-2 in penalties to reach the African Cup of Nations finals.

It was a match South Africans purposely dragged to penalty shootout believing that they have advantage over Nigeria after they eliminated Cape Verde in the quarter-final tie thanks to goalkeeper Ronwen Williams who saved four penalty kicks on the night.

But the first semi-final clash at Stade de la Paix Bouake was a different kettle of fish as Nigeria parading top players plying their trade in top football leagues in Europe has another idea although the first half ended in a barren draw.

But the breakthrough came when the Super Eagles secured a penalty after the reigning African Best Player Victor Osimhen was brought down in the box by defender Mothobi Mvala of South Africa at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Ivory Coast.

Stand-in-captain defender William Troost-Ekong converted a low-driven penalty into the middle of the net fooling Ronwen Williams in goal as Nigeria led 1-0 in the 67th minute.

When the Nigerians thought they had sealed the game with a 2-0 lead when Osimhen scored as he latched on to a pass inside the penalty box and fired a perfect low strike, which went inside the left post.

However, a VAR review verdict said that there was no goal for Nigeria due to a foul in the build-up play. The decision was overturned, and a penalty was given to South Africa.

The South Africans hit back with a 1-1 goal from the spot as Teboho Mokoena played the penalty past Stanley Nwabili into the bottom left corner.

As the match was played  with utmost caution by both sides, South Africa had the clearest chance to seal the game after Evidence Makgopa had his shot flashed high over the bar after beating the defender, following a rebound after a freekick saved by Nwabali.

The game, which entered extra time, saw big chances from both teams but there were no goals to separate the two nations although Nigeria could have won it as Terem Moffi was brought down at the edge of the box and the South African defender was shown a red card following the tackle.

The resultant free-kick  from range taken by substitute Kelechi Iheanacho was stopped by Williams and as the match entered into a shootout.

At last, Nigeria triumphed 4-3 on penalties after Nwabali made two huge saves to send Nigeria into  AFCON finals on Sunday and a chance to win the fourth trophy.