The super eagles of Nigeria defeated South Africa in an encompassing game of football at the Stade De La Paix, in Bouake.
In a game of football that went the entire stretch, Nigeria needed their inside man to get them over the line.
South Africa based goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties as Nigeria qualified for their first AFCON final in 11 years.
The first half was a 45 minute tale of ‘almost’ between both sides, as chances flew both ways. South Africa had the better of their opposition, but were met with the strong fists of Stanley Nwabali.
The second half saw Nigeria wake up as they took the gauntlet in the 67th minute as captain William Troodt Ekong converted from 12 yards to give the eagles the lead.
South Africa pushed for an equalizer, and they got it in an interesting sequence of play. Nigeria scored a second through Victor Osimhen, but it would be deemed illegal as Alhassan Yusuf fouled a South African at the beginning of that play.
A penalty was awarded to South Africa in the 90th minute for that incident, one which Tebobo Mokoena would convert.
Mokoena almost got a second goal in stoppage time, but would be denied by Nwabali, and a rebound was missed by Khuliso Mudau.
The extra time period presented one last twist as Terem Moffi would be through on goal, only to be stopped illegally by Grant Kakena, resulting in the centre back’s dismissal.
The penalty shootout saw Stanley Nwabali emerge as the victor, saving shots from Tebobo Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa.
South African goalie, Ronwen Williams could not his quarter final heroics as he failed to save any spotkick, with Ola Aina hitting his wide.
Nigeria have now qualified for their first AFCON final since 2013, a year in which they won they tournament. And they also remain unbeaten against South Africa as far as the AFCON is concerned.
