Nigeria (4-2 pens) 1-1 South Africa: Super Eagles book place in AFCON final after dramatic shoot-out
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ByEurosport
Updated 07/02/2024 at 22:48 GMT
Nigeria sealed their place in the Africa Cup of Nations final after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory against South Africa on Wednesday. There was a stunning end to normal time as Nigeria led 1-0 and thought they'd scored a second before VAR intervened and awarded South Africa a penalty. Teboho Mokoena scored to send the game into extra time but Nigeria recovered to claim victory on penalties.
Nigeria's players celebrate the victory at the end of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 semi-final football match between Nigeria and South Africa at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake on February 7, 2024.
Image credit: Getty Images
Two saves from Bobo Nwabali helped Nigeria beat South Africa 4-2 on penalties and reach the final of AFCON. They will now meet Ivory Coast in the final.
Nigeria dominated territory early on but struggled to pick holes in South Africa’s well-organised rearguard. South Africa, meanwhile, targeted the space in behind the Nigeria defence, and that clarity of purpose helped them look the more dangerous side.
The first half, though, was goalless, and Nigeria picked it up thereafter, eventually forging in front when captain William Troost-Ekong scored from the penalty spot.
Then, on 85 minutes, they looked to have sealed the game with Victor Osimhen finishing a terrific counter. But VAR brought play back to the start of the move, finding that Alhassan Yusuf had fouled Percy Tau, and as the clocked ticked over the 90-minute mark, Teboho Mokoena scored from the spot.
Both sides pushed for a winner in extra time but neither managed it, and though Ola Aina missed Nigeria’s third penalty, Mokoena, Evidence Makgopa and Mothobi Mvala missed South Africa’s first, third and fourth to send the Super Eagles into the final.
Talking point - Nigeria should be better
Victor Osimhen is not only the best striker in Africa, he is the best player in Africa, and having him should be a decisive advantage for Nigeria. But they have struggled to score throughout a competition yielding plenty of goals, and he has not looked the threat he is in Serie A.
This is not really Osimhen’s fault. Nigeria are where they are because they have good players; South Africa, on the other hand, stuck with them today because they had a good plan.
Watching Nigeria play, there is no sense of the kind of goal they want Osimhen to score; rather, they are hoping that he gets one at some point. So he is not making the same runs over and over, or taking up positions repeatedly, because so much of Nigeria’s play is off the cuff.
But perhaps we saw a change in the second half of the semi-final, because though they did not suddenly emerge for it a perfectly-coached superteam, they did up the intensity which, with the attacking talent they have, gives them a chance against anyone. If, though, they can spend time between now and the final working on just one automatism for Osimhen and the various men there to supply him, it might serve them well because goals are not coming as easily as they should.
This is not really Osimhen’s fault. Nigeria are where they are because they have good players; South Africa, on the other hand, stuck with them today because they had a good plan.
Watching Nigeria play, there is no sense of the kind of goal they want Osimhen to score; rather, they are hoping that he gets one at some point. So he is not making the same runs over and over, or taking up positions repeatedly, because so much of Nigeria’s play is off the cuff.
But perhaps we saw a change in the second half of the semi-final, because though they did not suddenly emerge for it a perfectly-coached superteam, they did up the intensity which, with the attacking talent they have, gives them a chance against anyone. If, though, they can spend time between now and the final working on just one automatism for Osimhen and the various men there to supply him, it might serve them well because goals are not coming as easily as they should.
Player of the match - Bobo Nwabali (Nigeria)
Solid in the game and saved two penalties in the shoot-out.
Player ratings
Nigeria: Nwabali 8, Aina 6, Troost-Ekong 7, Ajayi 7, Bassey 7, Iwobi 5, Onyeka 7, Osayi-Samuel 6, Simon 6, Osimhen 7, Lookman 6. Subs: Yusuf 6, Chukwueze 6, Aribo 6, Iheanacho 6, Moffi 6, Omeruo 6.
South Africa: Williams 7, Kekana 6, Xulu 6, Mvala 6, Modiba 6, Mokoena 7, Sithole 6, Zwane 6, Mudau 7, Makgopa 7, Tau 7. Subs: Mayambela 6, Lepasa 6, Sibisi 6.
South Africa: Williams 7, Kekana 6, Xulu 6, Mvala 6, Modiba 6, Mokoena 7, Sithole 6, Zwane 6, Mudau 7, Makgopa 7, Tau 7. Subs: Mayambela 6, Lepasa 6, Sibisi 6.
KEY MOMENTS
64’ - PENALTY TO NIGERIA!
There's that bit of class! Osimhen loses possession just outside the box, retrieves it, shows some nice feet getting turned; then, stepping away from goal, he gets away from Mvala, who can't help thrust a thigh for him to fall over.
67’ - GOAL! Nigeria 1-0 South Africa (Troost-Ekong pen) Williams goes right and Troost-Ekong goes down the middle. Nigeria are 23 minutes away from the final!
85’ - GOAL! Nigeria 2-0 South Africa (Osimhen) This is a fantastic goal! Nigeria counter, Lookman driving through the middle with the ball and slipping right to Simon, who crosses to the far post where Osimhen taps home! Nigeria are going into the final!
87’ - YUSUF WENT IN ON TAU ON THE EDGE - Nigeria 1-0 South Africa
I don't think he got the ball, but he did get the man! I have never seen anything like this before! It's going from 2-0 to potentially 1-1, in a semi-final! The ref goes over to the screen!
90’- GOAL! Nigeria 1-1 South Africa (Mokoena pen) Nwabali goes right, the ball goes left, and that's the first goal Nigeria have conceded in five games. NOW THEN!
112’ - MOFFI CHARGES GOALWARDS!
He's in! But a heavy touch tempts the challenge, Kekana slides in and brings him down! The ref says no foul, but VAR wants a look! I don't think it's a penalty because it was just outside the box, but is it a red card? I think so I'm afraid...
115’ - KEKANA IS SENT OFF
The foul was outside the box but is Kekana the last man? Yes he is, and he's going to be sent off. He did what he had to do.
There's that bit of class! Osimhen loses possession just outside the box, retrieves it, shows some nice feet getting turned; then, stepping away from goal, he gets away from Mvala, who can't help thrust a thigh for him to fall over.
67’ - GOAL! Nigeria 1-0 South Africa (Troost-Ekong pen) Williams goes right and Troost-Ekong goes down the middle. Nigeria are 23 minutes away from the final!
85’ - GOAL! Nigeria 2-0 South Africa (Osimhen) This is a fantastic goal! Nigeria counter, Lookman driving through the middle with the ball and slipping right to Simon, who crosses to the far post where Osimhen taps home! Nigeria are going into the final!
87’ - YUSUF WENT IN ON TAU ON THE EDGE - Nigeria 1-0 South Africa
I don't think he got the ball, but he did get the man! I have never seen anything like this before! It's going from 2-0 to potentially 1-1, in a semi-final! The ref goes over to the screen!
90’- GOAL! Nigeria 1-1 South Africa (Mokoena pen) Nwabali goes right, the ball goes left, and that's the first goal Nigeria have conceded in five games. NOW THEN!
112’ - MOFFI CHARGES GOALWARDS!
He's in! But a heavy touch tempts the challenge, Kekana slides in and brings him down! The ref says no foul, but VAR wants a look! I don't think it's a penalty because it was just outside the box, but is it a red card? I think so I'm afraid...
115’ - KEKANA IS SENT OFF
The foul was outside the box but is Kekana the last man? Yes he is, and he's going to be sent off. He did what he had to do.
PEN - GOAL!!! IHEANACHO WINS IT!! Nigeria 4-2 South Africa: The Leicester City man steps up and buries his penalty to send the Super Eagles into the AFCON final! The striker does a lap of the pitch waving his shirt over his head with the team-mates in hot pursuit. Unbelievable scenes here!
KEY STATS
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