The Super Eagles of Nigeria beat Bafana Bafana of South Africa 4-2 on penalties to advance to the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), at the at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire.
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Nigeria Beats South Africa On Penalties, Reaches AFCON Final

By Chidi Nwoke, Abuja.

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria beat Bafana Bafana of South Africa 4-2 on penalties to advance to the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), after the thrilling match finished 1-1 in regulation time, at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire.

South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena converted his penalty kick to cancel out William Troost-Ekong’s spot kick, sending the game into extra time as both sides could not be separated after 120 minutes. However, the Super Eagles found their scoring boots as they converted 4 spot kicks to knock out fierce rivals South Africa.

Preview

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be looking to reach the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when they take on rivals Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the semi-final, at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire.

Nigeria and South Africa have met 14 times, with the Super Eagles enjoying a lion’s share of the results with 7 victories against 2 for South Africa, with the remaining 5 ending in stalemates.

African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen returned to the startling lineup for Nigeria after passing a late fitness test, with Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon Supporting on the wings.

For South Africa, Evidence Makgopa featured in attack, while Percy Tau and Themba Zwane supported on the flanks.

KICK OFF!!!

1′ We are off at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire, where Nigeria are taking on South Africa in the semi-finals of Africa Cup of Nations.

2′ Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen goes down with an apparent injury as he holds his stomach. He gets on his feet moments later after an injury scare.

5′ Goal kick for South Africa as right-back Ola Aina mis-controls the ball at the touchline.

7′ Free-kick to South Africa.

9′ Defender Semi Ajayi puts in a cross into South Africa’s box, but it goes wide.

12′ Offside for South Africa as the linesman makes the call.

15′ South Africa awarded a free-kick in their box.

16′ Shot on target for South Africa as midfielder Sphephelo Sithole forces Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali into a save.

18′ South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole commits a foul.

19′ Striker Evidence Makgopa of South Africa goes down Nigeria’s box, but the referee looks away.

22′ Makgopa brings down midfielder Frank Onyeka close to South Africa’s box. Ademola Lookman steps up for the free-kick.

24′ South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams plucks the ball out of the air for a good save from Aina’s cross.

25′ Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi makes a sensational interception to deny South Africa a brilliant opportunity.

27′ South Africa breaks on a counter-attack, but Frank Onyeka makes a great block to deny Bafana Bafana. A VAR check is going on for a hand ball in the box. But South Africa’s protests are waved away by the referee.

28′ Winger Percy Tau gets a chance as he fires a shot at Nigerian goalkeeper Nwabala, but his effort lacked power.

30′ The referee blows the whistle for a cooling break as both sides regroup.

Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, instructs his men during cooling break.

34′ Corner awarded to South Africa.

35′ South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole misses the target from a header.

37′ Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi gets a shot in, but his effort is unsuccessful.

39′ Forward Evidence Makgopa fires in a shot on target, but goalkeeper Nwabali makes a good save.

44′ Corner kick awarded to Nigeria.

45′ Victor Osimhen rises highest for a header, but cannot keep his effort on target.

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen (9) misses chance to score.

45+1′ Referee Amin Mohamed Omar signals a free kick to South Africa in their own half.

45+3′ An entertaining first half comes to an end as the referee blows the halftime whistle. Nigeria 0-0 South Africa.

The first half of the highly anticipated encounter between Nigeria and South Africa has ended 0-0, with both sides creating a few chances in the match, at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire.

The players are coming out for the second half of this thrilling encounter. Would both sides change tactics in search of a goal? Lets find out.

46′ Nigeria awarded a throw-in.

49′ Referee gives a free kick to South Africa. 

51′ Corner for Nigeria.

52‘ Nigeria awarded a free-kick in their own half.

53′ A corner kick given to Nigeria.

54′ South Africa come forward and Themba Zwane gets in a striker, but misses the target.

56′ Nigeria gets a throw-in South Africa’s territory.

57′ Striker Osimhen gets another chance as he misses another header in South Africa’s box. Scores remain 0-0.

61′ Nigeria attacks through midfielder Frank Onyeka, but his shot goes off target. Goal kick to South Africa.

62′ Substitution for Nigeria as winger Samuel Chukwueze replaces Moses Simon. Alhassan Yusuf also comes on for Alex Iwobi.

65′ PENALTY!!!!! Nigeria awarded a penalty!!!!

67′ GOAL!!!!! Defender William Troost-Ekong gives Nigeria the lead after tucking the spot-kick into the net. Nigeria 1-0 South Africa.

Nigeria’s William Troost-Ekong scores penalty against South Africa.

68′ As South Africa looks for a way back into the match, Percy Tau misses an attempt on goal.

72′ Thrown-in for South Africa

75′ South Africa’s Evidence Makgopa breaks free searching for a chance, but his strike goes wide.

76′ South Africa coach Hugo Broos brings on Zakhele Lepasa to replace Themba Zwane. Mihlali Mayambela also replaces Siyanda Xulu.

78′ Nigeria on alert as they defend a dangerous freekick from South Africa.

80′ Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali looks in pain and play as been stopped by the referee.

81′ The goalkeeper is back on his feet after an injury scare.

83′ A Nigerian defender makes a challenge on a South African in the box, but play is waved on by the referee.

85′ GOAL!!!!!!! VICTOR OSIMHEN MAKES IT 2-0 FOR NIGERIA!!!!

87′ Hold on…There is an ongoing VAR check. Play is being reviewed for a possible penalty for South Africa, after the previous challenge in Nigeria’s box.

89′ Penalty for South Africa!!! 

90′ GOAL for South Africa. Bafana Bafana have equalised after Teboho Mokoena scored from the penalty spot. 1-1.

South Africa midfielder Teboho Mokoena celebrates goal against Nigeria.

90+1′ Play has been interrupted briefly in Bouake to check on South Africa goalkeeper Williams, who is seen in pains.

90+2′ Goalkeeper Williams is back on his feet after a slight knock.

90+4′ South Africa gets a throw-in in Nigeria’s territory.

90+6′ South Africa drives forward and Teboho Mokoena gets in a shot, but it goes wide.

90+8′ Winger Samuel Chukwueze gets his shot away, but misses the target.

90+9′ The referee brings stop to the second half as the scores remain 1-1. We are heading to extra time in Bouake.

The players are out for extra time in the first semi-final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

93′ Nigeria drives forward and Ademola Lookman gets in a shot, but he misses.

95′ South Africa pushes for a goal, but Teboho Mokoena’s strike goes wide.

98′ Free-kick to South Africa.

101′ Corner awarded to South Africa.

102′ Frank Onyeka is shown a yellow card by the referee and could miss the next match due to suspension.

103′ Substitute Joe Aribo comes on for Frank Onyeka, while Kelechi Iheanacho replaces Ademola Lookman.

105′ South Africa needs to be cautious as Nigeria gets a thrown-in.

105+1′ The referee blows the whistle for the end of the first half of extra time.

The scores are 1-1 after the first half of extra time as Nigeria and South Africa have put up a fierce battle in Bouake.

The players are now set for the second half of extra time as both sides will make one last push for glory.

106′ Nigeria drives forward in search of a goal but Osimhen heads wide.

108′ Corner kick to South Africa.

110′ Terem Moffi comes on for Victor Osimhen as the night is over for Africa’s best.

115′ ITS A RED CARD!!! Red card for South Africa’s Grant Kekana. Nigeria now has a man advantage in the closing minutes of the game.

117′ South Africa coach Hugo Broos makes a third substitution as Nkosinathi Sibisi replaces Zakhele Lepasa.

118′ Nigeria pushes forward through Kelechi Iheancho, but goalkeeper Willams makes a good save.

120′ Defender William Troost-Ekong is shown a yellow card by the referee.

120+3′ Nigeria makes a sixth substitution with Kenneth Omeruo replacing Bright Osayi-Samuel.

120+4′ The referee blows the final whistle as the game comes to an end. Nigeria 1-1 South Africa. We are heading straight to penalties.

PENALTIES

Terem Moffi scores for Nigeria. 1-0

Teboho Mokoena misses from the spot. Nigeria 1-0 South Africa.

Kenneth Moeruo converts for Nigeria. Nigeria 2-0 South Africa.

Mihlali Mayambela scores his penalty. Nigeria 2-1 South Africa.

Ola Aina steps up and misses his spot kick for the Super Eagles. Nigeria 2-1 South Africa.

Evidence Makgopa misses his penalty for Bafana Bafana. Nigeria 2-1 South Africa

William Troost-Ekong steps up and scores his penalty. Nigeria 3-1 South Africa

Mothobi Mvala scores his penalty. Nigeria 3-2 South Africa.

Kelechi Iheanacho converts his spot kick to seal the victory for the Super Eagles!!!!!. Nigeria 4-2 South Africa!!!!!!!.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have done it!!!! They have reached the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in spectacular fashion after beating South Africa 4-2 on penalties.

It was a jaw-dropping match between two very strong teams, as the 2023 AFCON has delivered yet another thrilling encounter in Cote d’Ivoire.

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