The Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the final match of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Ivory Coast after a pulsating penalty shootout win over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
The Nigerians who have enjoyed quite a morale boosting run in the continental football competition went up against a spirited South African side who gave a good account of themselves.
The match which took place at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake saw both sides giving their best in a bid to qualify for the final match of the continental football competition. The South Africans had most of the clear-cut chances in the first half but were stopped by a resolute Super Eagles defense which had goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali at its base.
The Super Eagles took over and established their dominance very early in the second half which helped them create a lot of chances which they failed to convert. They continued in that form and were soon rewarded for their efforts.
Nigeria was awarded a penalty after the hour mark after Victor Osimhen was hacked down by Mothobi Mvala inside the South Penalty area. Captain Troost Ekong stepped up and dispatched the spot kick expertly to hand the Super Eagles a well deserved lead.
The Super Eagles were seemingly coasting to victory when a late drama which saw them score a second goal which was chalked off after a VAR review which spotted an earlier infringement in the Super Eagles’ penalty area.
As a result of the VAR decision, Victor Osimhen’s goal was chalked off and a penalty kick was awarded to the Bafana Bafana. Teboho Mokoena stepped up and rifled the spot kick past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to draw his team level.
South Africa had two quick fire chances in the dying minutes of normal time but could not put the ball inside the net thanks to Stanley Nwabali’s save and a glaring miss by Khuliso Mudau with the goal at his mercy.
Neither team could alter the scoreline even after playing thirty minutes extra time and the game was eventually decided through penalty shootout.
The Super Eagles missed only one of the five shots while goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two shots to secure a 4-2 victory in the penalty shootout which eliminated the Bafana Bafana from the contest.
Meanwhile, tournament host, Ivory Coast secured their place in the final match after defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in the second semi-final match. A Sebastien Haller’s strike in the 65th minute caught the Congolese defense napping and handed Ivory Coast the ticket to the final match.
The Super Eagles will be taking on the Ivorians in the final match while South Africa will trade tackles with the Democratic Republic of Congo for the last piece of silverware in the bronze medal match.
Nigeria defeated Ivory Coast 1-0 when they met during their group stage match and will hoping to do it again when both teams clash on Sunday to decide who becomes the new champion of Africa.
