Nigeria in AFCON final after edging South Africa on penalties

In a captivating semi-final showdown at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Nigeria secures a coveted spot in the final after triumphing over South Africa in a nail-biting penalty shootout.

The match unfolded with gripping intensity, characterized by contentious moments and a late equalizing penalty, offering a spectacle for football enthusiasts.

Nigeria in AFCON final: How they did it

Nigeria seized the initiative with an early goal, courtesy of a penalty awarded following Mothobi Mvala’s challenge on Victor Osimhen. William Troost-Ekong clinically dispatched the spot-kick, propelling Nigeria into the lead.

However, the game took a dramatic twist when VAR nullified Osimhen’s apparent second goal, leading to a penalty for South Africa. Teboho Mokoena calmly converted the spot-kick, leveling the score at 1-1 in the dying moments of regular time.

The tension escalated further as Grant Kekana received a red card early in extra time, reducing South Africa to ten men. Despite relentless efforts, neither side could break the deadlock in extra time, prompting a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.

The shootout witnessed both sides squandering opportunities, with Nigeria emerging victorious with a 4-2 triumph on penalties, despite Ola Aina’s miss for the Super Eagles.

With this hard-fought victory, Nigeria, a three-time AFCON champion, advances to the final, awaiting the outcome of the clash between Ivory Coast and DR Congo.

This pulsating encounter epitomized the unpredictability and excitement synonymous with the AFCON tournament, captivating football fans worldwide.

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Nigeria will face either Cote d’Ivoire DR Congo on Sunday, hoping to capture their fourth African crown.

Nigeria made the early running in a cagey first half. The lively Iwobi brought the best from Williams, whose reflex save kept things goalless. South Africa responded in kind, Evidence Makgopa curling just wide before Percy Tau was thwarted when clean through.

The tension ratcheted after the break as both keepers took center stage. Nwabali acrobatically denied Makgopa once more, while at the other end Williams stood firm to repel Osimhen.

That set the scene for high drama in the closing stages. Nigeria earned a 67th minute penalty when Osimhen was flattened, which Troost-Ekong converted emphatically.

Sensing blood, a frenzied Nigeria pressed for the killer second. They thought they had it through Osimhen, but VAR intervened to spot an earlier foul. South Africa were awarded a lifeline penalty instead, dispatched by Mokoena.

So to extra time, where fatigue stifled attacking fluency. With legs heavy and nerves jangling, a shootout felt inevitable. Williams and Nwabali then took the spotlight.

While Williams correctly guessed the direction of two Nigerian penalties, his hands couldn’t match his intuition. Nwabali showed no such mercy, diving to deny both Mokoena and Mayambela.

As Nigeria soak up the raptures of reaching the final, Williams is left inconsolable. Four days ago he was the hero, now South Africa’s brokenhearted goalkeeper.

Nigeria now stand one win away from a fourth African crown. Propelled by Nwabali’s shootout brilliance, Sunday’s final sees them as a strong contenders for the title.