Nigeria reach Afcon final after penalty shootout

During a thrilling match against South Africa, Nigeria secured their spot in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho's winning penalty, which led to a 4-2 triumph in the shootout.

The match at Bouake ended in a tie at 1-1 after a dramatic conclusion to the regular playing time. The referee had to check the video footage, and he canceled Victor Osimhen's shot, which would have increased Nigeria's lead to 2-0. Instead, the referee awarded a penalty to South Africa.

In the 90th minute of the game, Teboho Mokoena scored a goal from a penalty kick which resulted in the game going into extra time with no goals. During the extra time period, Grant Kekana, a defender for Bafana Bafana, received a red card towards the end of the game.

Mokoena was unsuccessful in his penalty kick during the match against the Super Eagles. Unfortunately, he was one of two South African players whose attempts were thwarted by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Despite their efforts, the Super Eagles emerged victorious, securing their spot in the final on Sunday. They will face Ivory Coast in the final, who defeated DR Congo in their match.

During the second half of the match, William Troost-Ekong scored a goal for his team, the West Africans, by taking a penalty shot. He is currently leading Nigeria as their captain and hopes to win their fourth continental title, which they haven't achieved since 2013.

Nigeria Beats South Africa Once More

Before the match between Nigeria and South Africa, the former had a flawless record against the latter in the Nations Cup. Nigeria had secured victories in all three of their past encounters, including a semi-final match in Lagos in 2000.

However, even with the loud and chaotic horn section played by the green and white supporters, Jose Peseiro's team was unable to meet expectations as the favorites and struggled during the slow-paced first half where South Africa dominated the game.

Percy Tau attempted his greatest opportunity but unfortunately missed the shot directly at Nwabali, even though he was unguarded when he was inside the penalty area.

The weakness of Nigeria was shown in the numbers, as Osimhen, who was named as the best African football player, only had nine instances of contact with the ball during the first half. One of these was a header that missed the goal just before halftime.

However, the match became more exciting when Nigeria showed a stronger determination in the second half.

Osimhen had the chance to head the ball into the net, but he missed it and the ball went over the bar. After that, Frank Onyeka tried to score but he missed and the ball went wide.

In the 67th minute, the Super Eagles managed to score their first goal when Osimhen charged forward towards the penalty area but was stopped by Mothobi Mvala who made a bad tackle.

Just like in the Ivory Coast group stage victory, Troost-Ekong took on the role of penalty taker instead of Osimhen.

The ex-Watford defender kicked the ball straight down the middle and between the legs of Ronwen Williams. Williams had been the star of the penalty shootout in the quarterfinal match against Cape Verde, but he dived in the wrong direction this time, to his left.

Following Evidence Makgopa's nearly successful attempt for South Africa, Ademola Lookman had a chance to win the game for Nigeria. However, he hesitated while trying to maneuver around Williams, the goalkeeper, who was then able to dive and collect the ball at his feet.

Osimhen Denied By Late VAR Decision

Osimhen believed he had secured a win with only five minutes left in regular time. He scored by redirecting Bright Osayi-Samuel's fast counter-attacking pass into the net, then dashed towards the Nigeria fans to celebrate. Sadly, his celebration was brief.

Before the video assistant referee told the referee Amin Omar to watch the monitor, South Africa's team had already started to express their disagreement. After reviewing the footage, the Egyptian referee quickly dismissed Osimhen's goal and awarded a penalty to the opposing team for an earlier foul committed by Alhassan Yusuf on Tau. This was yet another unexpected turn of events in this extraordinary tournament.

Mokoena remained composed and successfully scored the penalty, preventing Nigeria from achieving their fifth consecutive clean sheet. South Africa had a chance to win the game during the six additional minutes when Mudau missed the mark, despite having a clear shot after Nwabali deflected Mokoena's free-kick.

Williams made crucial saves from Lookman and Osimhen during the beginning of the additional time, but the most promising opportunity arose when Terem Moffi grabbed hold of a pass and charged with great strength towards South Africa's goal.

However, Kekana thwarted the replacement's progress through a tripping action. Later, a video assistant referee review concluded that Kekana had committed a significant infringement, and consequently, he received a red card. Meanwhile, Nigeria gained an opportunity to take a free-kick from a location adjacent to the penalty area.

Iheanacho tried to score during a set piece but Williams stopped the ball. The match ended in a penalty shootout after Nwabali prevented Mokoena and Makgopa from scoring. Unfortunately, the Bafana Bafana captain was unable to replicate their impressive performance from the previous round.

The game is over and the scores are Nigeria 1 with 4 goals and South Africa 1 with 2 goals.

The Penalty Shootout has concluded, with Nigeria coming out on top with a score of 1 (4) while South Africa trailed behind with 1 (2).

Score! Nigeria has beaten South Africa with a final score of 4-2 after converting a penalty shot in the bottom right corner using Kelechi Iheanacho's left foot.

It's a goal! Nigeria has scored 1 point and South Africa has scored 2 points. Mothobi Mvala from South Africa successfully scores a penalty kick with his right foot towards the center of the goal.

Score! Nigeria has just taken the lead against South Africa with a penalty kick by William Troost-Ekong, who sent the ball into the bottom left corner of the net using his right foot. The score is now 1 to 3 in favor of Nigeria.

The penalty attempt was blocked! Evidence Makgopa from South Africa kicked the ball with their right foot, but it was saved by the goalkeeper in the middle of the goal.

The penalty was unsuccessful. Ola Aina of Nigeria kicked the ball with his right foot, but it went over the net by a small margin.

Score! The Nigeria team has one goal while the South African team has one less with a score of 2 to 1. Mihlali Mayambela from the South African team successfully made a penalty shot using their right foot and aimed it towards the bottom right corner of the goal.

Score! Nigeria has now scored two goals, while South Africa has scored once. Kenneth Omeruo of Nigeria successfully made a penalty by using his right foot to shoot the ball to the lower left corner.

Saved! Teboho Mokoena from South Africa tried to score with his right foot, but the goalkeeper managed to prevent the ball from entering the bottom left corner of the goal.

Score! Nigeria has now scored 1 point, as has South Africa. The player Terem Moffi from Nigeria successfully made the penalty shot using his left foot to shoot straight into the middle of the goal.

The Penalty Shootout has initiated with the score tied between Nigeria and South Africa at one goal each.

The second part of the additional time has concluded, resulting in a draw between Nigeria and South Africa with both teams scoring a goal.

In the Nigerian team, there has been a substitution made. Bright Osayi-Samuel has now been replaced by Kenneth Omeruo.

Sphephelo Sithole, a South African player, committed a foul.

In the half of the pitch meant for defending, Samuel Chukwueze from Nigeria succeeds in earning a free kick.

The referee gave William Troost-Ekong from Nigeria a yellow card as he made a bad foul.

Mihlali Mayambela, a soccer player from South Africa, has been awarded a free kick on the left side of the field.

William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria) has committed a foul.

In the corner area of Nigeria, a goal was given up by Mothobi Mvala.