Super Eagles keep their cool to edge South Africa in dramatic AFCON shootout

Nigeria’s forward #9 Victor Osimhen (C) and teammates celebrate the victory at the end of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 semi-final football match between Nigeria and South Africa at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake on February 7, 2024. (Photo by Issouf SANOGO / AFP)

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are through to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time since winning the competition back in 2013 after battling through a pulsating penalty shootout in a thrilling semi-final encounter against South Africa.

After playing out to a 1-1 draw after regulation time and the ensuing 30 minutes of extra time, it was Nigeria who came out on top 4-2 on penalties with Kelechi Iheanacho stroking home the decisive penalty to send the three-time champions into Sunday’s showpiece against either hosts Cote d’Ivoire or the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Nigeria went into the lead in the 67th minute of the game through captain William Troost-Ekong from the penalty spot after Victor Osimhen was brought down in the 18-yeard area.

Teboho Mokoena thereafter put South Africa level on 1-1, also from the penalty spot, in the 90th minute after Alhassan Yusuf, who replaced Alex Iwobi on 63 minutes, fouled Percy Tau.

The penalty was awarded to the Bafana Bafana following a lengthy check by the Video Assistant referee (VAR) with the main referee also going to look at the monitor before giving it.

Before that though, there was a dramatic twist, as Osimhen thought he’d scored a second for Nigeria, only for the goal to be ruled out after VAR spotted a late tackle from Yusuf on Tau in the opposite penalty seconds earlier. That sensationally gave Bafana Bafana a late lifeline, and Mokoena held his nerve from the spot to level the scores in