Nigeria became the first team to reach the final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations after beating South Africa 4-2 on penalties earlier on Wednesday, February 7.
It was the first semi-final game at the tournament in La Côte d’Ivoire.
The match ended 1-1 after extra time with goals from the spot from William Troost-Ekong and Teboho Mokoena in full regulation time.
The shoot-outs, therefore, decided the winner.
Both sides were seeking to come close to extending their trophy haul with the Bafana Bafana the hungrier of the two as they last won the title 28 years ago.
They have played in the final once – in 1998 – since then.
Nigeria, who last won the title in South Africa in 2013, reached the semi-finals for the first time since Stephen Keshie’s side.
Therefore, they relished moving closer again to the trophy especially with the reigning African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, in their fold.
The Napoli marksman rose to the occasion in the second half as his run towards goal met legs in the South African penalty area.
Libyan referee Mutaz Ibrahim did not think twice as he awarded a penalty when Osimhen went to the ground.
Defender Troost-Ekong, who hardly misses penalty kicks, came up against Ronwen Williams, whose heroics in penalties had seen the Bafana Bafana qualify to this stage.
The Nigerian captain beat the South African captain for the opener.
The South Africans restored parity later through defender Mokoena, who also scored from the spot.
After no goals in extra time, the match had to be decided on penalties.
Williams’ heroics in the quarter-finals against Cape Verde was far from being witnessed as he was beaten four times with the only miss by Ola Aina going over the bar.
The Super Eagles await the winner of the Ivory Coast-DR Congo game for Sunday’s final.
