By Dipo Olowookere
The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Wednesday defeated South Africa in the ongoing 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.
The three-time winner of the tournament qualified for the final of the competition after a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké.
Nigeria went ahead from a spot pick 22 minutes into the second half of the match through the captain of the team, Troost-Ekong.
However, parity was restored in the 90th minute also from the spot through Mokoena, who sent the Super Eagles’ shot-stopper, Stanley Nwabali, the wrong way.
The game stretched to extra time and when both teams could not convert their chances after sweating it out for one and a half hours, the Egyptian referee, Amin Mohamed Omar, signalled an end to the match for the shootout.
Moffi, who forced a South African defender, Kekena, to make a foul that led to his red card in the extra time, converted the first penalty. However, Mokoena could not convert his when he stepped forward for the shootout.
Ola Aina missed his shot from the spot but Makgopa could not take advantage of this as his shot was saved by Nwabali. With Omeruo, Troost-Ekong and Kelechi Iheanacho putting the ball at the back of the net, Nigeria won the game 4-2 on penalties to pick a spot in the final.
With the defeat, the quest of South Africa to clinch the trophy for the second time after 1996 was crushed.
Nigeria now has a chance to grab the cup for the fourth time if it beats the winner of the second semi-final match between the host and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Sunday.
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Modupe Gbadeyanka