Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning penalty as Super Eagles of Nigeria booked their place in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a 4-2 shootout win over South Africa.
The thrilling encounter went into penalty shootout after extra time at Stade de la paix in Bouake on Wednesday night.
Bafana Bafana of South Africa were the better side in the first half hour mark giving Nigeria a run for their money with their pacy, fast and excellent display of soccer artistry.
The center referee from Egypt had to go to VAR to award a penalty for South Africa after Nigeria had thought they had won the game in 87 minutes after Victor Osimhen goal.
Jose Peseiro who made one changes to the side that played in the quarter-finals replaced Osayi-Samuel for injured Zaidu Sanusi.
Hugo Broos’ led side were the side who had the largesse possession of the game with their tactical and technicality on the ball marauding Nigeria defence in intense encounter in Bouake.
It was an intense first half from both sides but South Africa poised for a threat at goal with some brilliant and composed saves from Chippa United man Stanley Nwabali who kept the Bafana Bafana at bay as first half ended goalless.
The Bafana Bafana picked where they left off after the restart of the second of half as they pressed and searched for an opening goal.
However it was Super Eagles who drew the first blood in the 67 minutes with captain Ekong dispatched the ball into the nets after Osimhen was fouled in the 18 yard box.
Nigeria thought they have secured the victory in the tale end of the game with Osimhen scoring from close range but the goal was ruled out via VAR and penalty was awarded to South Africa after VAR had shown Yusuf had stepping on Percy Tau in Nigeria 18 yard box as Mokoena dispatched the penalty to send the game into an extra time.
A red card was shown to South Africa defender following a foul on substitutes Terem Moffi at the edge of the box but Nigeria failed to convert from a resulting free-kick in a promising area.
South Africa first and the last final in the tournament was in AFCON South Africa 1996 against Tunisia, The side defeated the former giant of AFCON in a thrilling 2 goal to nil, the match was played at FBN Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa on the 3rd of February 1996.
In the shootout Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties to give Nigeria an edge as Kelechi Iheanacho scored the decisive penalty with 4-2 to placed Nigeria into the Sunday’s final against the hosts Ivory Coast who defeated DR. Congo by 1-nill later in the late night.
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