The Super Eagles of Nigeria have once again displayed their prowess over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a 4-2 penalty victory after a 1-1 draw in regulation time to clinch the first ticket to the AFCON 2023 final.
The head-to-head game witnessed a stunning end to regulation time as the Super Eagles led 1-0 and thought they had scored a second before VAR intervened and awarded South Africa a penalty. Teboho Mokoena scored to send the game into extra time, however, Nigeria recovered to grab the victory on penalties, on Wednesday, at the Stade de la Paix in Ivory Coast.
In an exciting and suspenseful “clash of the titans” the Super Eagles of Nigeria humbled their South African counterparts. The game saw a goalless first 45 minutes; Nigeria dominated territory early on but struggled to pick holes in South Africa’s well-organised rearguard.
The second 45 minutes was much more thrilling and saw a major comeback from both teams. In the 63rd minute, Nigeria’s hitman Victor Osimhen was tackled in the South African penalty box resulting in a Penalty for the Super Eagles. William Troost-Ekong converted the penalty to a Goal in the 66th minute giving the Super Eagles a lead in the game.
The Jose Pesiero side tried to double the score line after another goal came in the 85th minute by Victor Osimhen but it was cancelled following a VAR check.
The Bafana Bafana equalized in the 88th minute after Teboho Mokoena leveled the game from the penalty spot. Then, in the final minute of added time, Khuliso Mudau had a wide-open opportunity to snatch a dramatic, last-gasp winner and put South Africa through. Instead, he skied the chance, and Nigeria survived by a whisker, the match heading to extra-time.
After a goalless 30 minutes, which saw South African Grant Kekana shown a red card, it advanced to a penalty shootout, where Ronwen Williams couldn’t quite duplicate his quarterfinal heroics.
Nigeria advanced to the finals after scoring 4 out of their 5 spot kicks. Terem Moffi, Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong, and Kelechi Iheanacho gave the Super Eagles the win even though Ola Aina threw wide his goal chance.
The game ended with a triumphant 4-2 win after Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) missed his penalty attempt and Nigerian shot-stopper Stanley Nwabali caught that of South African Evidence Makgopa which brings the Nigerian goalkeeper to the spotlight again.
Victor Osimhen has not looked the threat he is in Serie A. The Super Eagles forward 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 in the ongoing AFCON 2023.
The Super Eagles would be gunning for their fourth African title on Sunday and would be playing against hosts Ivory Coast.
Player of the match, Nigeria’s shot-stopper Stanley Nwabali was Solid in the breathtaking game and saved two penalties in the shoot-out.
Player Rating:
Super Eagles: 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.
Bafana Bafana: 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.
