BREAKING: Super Eagles Defeat South Africa To Progress To Nations Cup Final

The Super Eagles of Nigeria recorded a 4-2 penalty shootout win over South Africa to book a place in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast on Wednesday night.

The regulation time and extra time ended 1-1 as the Super Eagles booked their place in the final of the competition in style.

Jose Peseiro made one change to the side that defeated Angola 1-0 in the quarter-finals on Friday when Bright Osayi-Samuel replacing Zaidu Sanusi, who missed training on Tuesday due to injury.

The Bafana Bafana started the encounter on the ascendancy as the Super Eagles struggled to settle in the early moments of the game.

Stanley Nwabali produced two stunning saves to keep the Super Eagles in the game in the first half.

Both sides couldn’t break the deadlock in the first period as it ended goalless.

Jose Peseiro made two changes in the 63rd minute, bringing on Alhassan Yusuf and Samuel Chukwueze for Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon.

Few minutes later, William Troost-Ekong gave the Super Eagles the lead from the penalty spot after Victor Osimhen was brought down in the 18-yard box.

Mbayela missed a glorious chance for South Africa when he was in a good position.

Victor Osimhen thought he had increased Nigeria’s lead when he tapped in Bright Osayi-Samuel’s cross in the 88th minute, but his effort was ruled out as the referee consulted VAR to award a penalty to South Africa after Alhassan Yusuf fouled Percy Tau in the box.

Mokoena sent Nwabali the wrong way to equalise for South Africa in the 89th minute.

Makgopa missed a begging chance when he had only the goalpost to beat, but he fluffed his lines as the tie went into extra time.

Iheanacho and Aribo replaced Ademola Lookman and Frank Onyeka in the first half of the extra time.

Osimhen’s header failed to hit the target in the beginning of the second half of extra time as the Super Eagles went in search of a winner.

Osimhen also made way for Terem Moffi in the second half of extra time in a bid to add fresh legs to the team.

A few minutes later, Grant Kekana fouled Moffi outside the box and the referee gave him a red card after consulting the VAR.

The tie went into penalty shootout as the Super Eagles emerged victorious in Bouaké.

Terem Moffi scores the opening penalty, while Mokoena missed his own effort as Nwabali saved.

Kenneth Omeruo also beat Williams from the spot before

Aina missed from the spot before Nwabali saved again from Makgopa.

William Troost-Ekong scored his own effort with a powerful finish.

Mvala scored to give South Africa a glimmer of hope before Kelechi Iheanacho scored the last penalty to send the Super Eagles into the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nwabali was the star of the show. He saved two penalties to lead Nigeria into the final of the competition.