[FULL TIME]
W. TROOST-EKONG (68′ PEN) NIGERIA
T. MOKOENA (90′ PEN) SOUTH
NWABALI THE HERO AS NIGERIA REACH FINAL
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 or DR Congo 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, 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 at 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, and though Ola Aina missed Nigeria’s third penalty, Mokoena, Evidence Makgopa and Mothobi meal missed South Africa’s first, third and fourth to send the Super Eagles into the final.
19:53
THAT WAS A FUN MATCH
Nigeria had it won, gave away a late penalty, and have now won it on penalties. They’ll be relieved.
19:51
NIGERIA BEAT SOUTH AFRICA 4-2 ON PENALTIES AFTER A 1-1 DRAW IN 120 MINUTES!
THEY MEET IVORY COAST OR DR GONCOG IN THE FINAL OF AFCON 2024!
19:50
Nigeria 4-2 South Africa
Iheanacho pauses, sweeps in off the post, and Nigeria go mad!
19:49
Nigeria 3-2 South Africa (Mvala
Nwabali dives left, the ball goes down the middle, and Oheanacho will no try and win it for Nigeria, the weight of a nation on his shoulders…. Good luck old mate….
19:48
Nigeria 3-1 South Africa (Troost-Ekong)
The skipper hammers across williams into the side-netting! Nigeria are nearly there – if SA miss they’re through! If they don’t, they just need to score their final kick!
19:47
Nigeria 2-1 South Africa
DREADFUL PENALTY!
Makgopa passestowards the right corner, but Nwabalai saves easily with his body.
19:46
Nigeria 2-1 South Africa
Aina skies it! Up goes the head, up goes the ball!
19:45
Nigeria 2-1 South Africa (Mayambela)
Opens body, punches right as the keeper gueeses correctly.
19:45
Nigeria 2-0 South Africa (Omeruo)
Omeruo ambles up and, as the keeper moves right, strokes left.
19:43
Nigeria 1-0 South Africa
The man who scored in injury time cannot in the shootout! Nwabali dives left, adjusting to block a ball that’s way too close to him, and Mokoena has missed!
19:42
Nigeria 1-0 South Africa (Moffi)
Williams dives right and Moffi shoots down the middle.
19:42
NIGERIA TO KICK FIRST…
19:41
IMMORTALITY AWAITS
Who can handle that the better … or the least worse?
19:40
SA WOULD’VE TAKEN THIS, I’M SURE
And in such context, you tend to go with the team happy to be there. Nwabali, though, is a very fine keeper.
🇿🇦Ronwen Williams is the First goalkeeper to save 4 penalties in a TotalEnergies AFCON shootout 🤯
19:38
WILLIAMS SAVED FOUR PENALTIES IN THE QUARTER
Can he be the hero again? Or does the law of averages say otherwise?
120+1′
CHANGE FOR NIGERIA
Omeruo replaces Osayi-Samuel.
120+1′
MUDAU BEATS HIS MAN ON THE OUTSIDE
But Bassey gets back at him, then Sithole stops Nigeria breaking. [EuroSport,]
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