BrandiQSports
Nigeria vs. the South African team was a tense match with both teams determined to knock each other out. It was a game South Africa almost won at the death of the match.
A 1-1 score draw that was decided by penalties.
Nigeria had lost five of their last six AFCON semifinals and had to overcome a very tough and spirited South Africa to reach the final, with the game ultimately decided by penalties in normal time as well as in the shootout.
Skipper William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead from the penalty spot midway through the second half after Osimhen was bought down at the box.
Victor Osimhen thought he had won it for Nigeria with a second goal towards the end of the match but VAR had spotted a foul prior to Osimhen goal caused by Alhassan on Percy Tau in the box and awarded a penalty to Bafana Bafana which was scored by Teboho Mokoena.
Nigeria was stunned, and we’re under intense pressure from the Bafana Bafana and South Africa almost won the game when Khuliso Mudau just missed a glorious chance five minutes into stoppage time.
At extra time the Bafana Bafana lost defender Grant Kekana to a red card after tackling Terem moffi who was through on goal, at 115 minutes Nigeria got another penalty that was missed, and the South African team held on to the end and took the game to penalty, only to crash out after two were saved by Nigeria keeper Stanley Nwabali.
Nigeria won by 4-2 on penalty.
Nigeria will play hosts Ivory Coast after the host nation defeated Congo by a lone goal in 90 minutes.
Expect a fiesty encounter in the final, as it will be the second time the two team will be playing against themselves as Nigeria defeated them 1-0 in the group stage.
