Nigeria secured their place in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after a thrilling 4-2 penalty shootout win over South Africa, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The game in Bouake was full of drama, as the referee overturned a goal by Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen in the dying minutes of normal time, after consulting the video monitor. He instead awarded a penalty to South Africa, who had earlier fallen behind to a Kelechi Iheanacho strike.
Teboho Mokoena kept his cool and slotted home the spot-kick in the 90th minute, forcing the game into extra-time, where neither side could find a winner. South Africa’s hopes were further dashed when defender Grant Kekana received his marching orders in the final moments of extra-time.
The shootout was equally tense, as Mokoena and Thabo Cele missed their penalties for South Africa, while Nigeria’s goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made two crucial saves. Iheanacho stepped up and scored the decisive penalty, sending the Super Eagles into ecstasy and booking their ticket to Sunday’s final, where they will face either hosts Ivory Coast or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
