Kelvin Bowoto
The Super Eagles will face the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on Sunday.
This is the first time the Nigerian senior national team has reached the final since winning the continental trophy in 2013.
The Super Eagles defeated South Africa’s Bafana Bafana 4-2 on penalties Sunday after the match concluded with one goal each in regulation and overtime.
In the tense match, Nigeria took the lead in the 67th minute with a penalty shot from Captain William Troost-Ekong after Victor Osimhen was fouled in the Bafana Bafana 18-yard box. Nigeria later conceded a penalty in the 90th minute after Alhasan Yusuf tripped Bafana Bafana’s Percy Tau. Teboho Mokoena scored the penalty.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties in the shootout as Nigeria defeated South Africa 4-2 after a 1-1 draw and advanced to the final of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire yesterday.
Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho netted the winning penalty in a 4-2 shootout victory as Nigeria overcame VAR drama to reach their first AFCON final since 2023, when they won the title in South Africa.
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Nigeria dominated the early first half but failed to find gaps in South Africa’s well-organized backline, while Bafana Bafana targeted the space behind the Eagles defenders, and their clarity of purpose made them appear the more dangerous side.
Nigeria appeared to have sealed the game when Victor Osimhen concluded a fantastic counterattack, but a VAR check resulted in great drama in Bouake. The Napoli strike was ruled out, and South Africa was awarded a penalty for a harsh challenge by substitute Alhassan Yusuf. Teboho Mokoena duly dispatched, setting up some nerve-racking final stages for Nigeria, who held on before an end-to-end extra-time session.
The Super Eagles also felt they had won another penalty in the 113th minute when Terem Moffi was brought down by Grant Kekana as he raced through on goal.
The referee reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor and issued Kekana a straight red card but gave a free-kick instead of a spot-kick because contact had occurred inches beyond the 18-yard area, with penalties ultimately required to separate the two teams. Kelechi Iheanacho was the hero, while Stanley Nwabali shone in goal to propel the Super Eagles forward.
Nigeria advanced to their first AFCON final since 2013, defeating Burkina Faso 1-0 thanks to a Sunday Mba strike. This was their third continental crown, following victories in 1980 and 1994.
Techrectory with Agency Report.
