Nigeria vs South Africa 4 : 2 AFCON Semifinals.
Ivory Coast, February 7, 2024: In a tense encounter that went down to the wire, the Super Eagles of Nigeria booked their place in the AFCON 2024 final with a nail-biting penalty shootout victory over South Africa. After a 1-20 minutes of enthralling football ended 1-1, the fate of the match was decided from the spot, where Nigeria emerged triumphant 4-2.
Ivory Coast Defeat DR Congo 1-0 to Set Up AFCON 2024 Showdown with Nigeria
The game started with both teams showcasing attacking intent, creating chances but failing to find the breakthrough. The deadlock was finally broken in the 67th minute when captain William Troost-Ekong converted a penalty for Nigeria, sending the stadium erupting in joyous celebration. However, South Africa refused to lie down and pulled level in dramatic fashion through a 90th-minute penalty of their own, converted by Teboho Mokoena.
Nigeria vs South Africa AFCON Semi-final Full time results.
Extra time failed to produce a winner, forcing the dreaded penalty shootout. The tension was palpable as both teams took turns from the spot. Nigeria’s goalkeepers shone brightly, with Francis Uzoho making two crucial saves. In the end, it was Kelechi Iheanacho who converted the winning penalty, sending the Super Eagles into a frenzy of emotions.
It was a tough game, South Africa gave us a real fight,” said a visibly emotional head coach Augustine Eguavoen after the match. “But we showed character, resilience, and ultimately, the quality to win. We’re thrilled to be in the final and will give everything to bring the trophy home.
Nigeria’s victory sets up a mouthwatering final against the winner of the other semifinal between Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Super Eagles will be aiming to lift their fourth AFCON title, having last triumphed in 2013.
Key stats:
- Final score: Nigeria 1 (4) – (2) 1 South Africa
- Goalscorers: Nigeria – W. Troost-Ekong (67′ pen); South Africa – T. Mokoena (90′ pen)
- Man of the Match: Francis Uzoho (Nigeria)
Nigeria will face Ivory Coast in the AFCON 2024 final on February 11th. Can the Super Eagles soar to glory once again?
