The Super Eagles secured a hard-fought victory against the Bafana Bafana to advance into the last stage of the competition.
Nigeria recorded a 4-2 win over South Africa on penalties in the semifinal of the Africa Cup of Nations at Stade de la Paix on Wednesday.
The regular time ended 1-1 with goals from William Troost-Ekong and Teboho Mokoena, however, the Super Eagles were more clinical in front of goal in the penalties.
Coach Jose Peseiro retained most of the players that featured against Cameroon with Victor Osimhen and Troost-Ekong retaining their positions while Alex Iwobi got a chance to start the game. The team has not lost since the start of the tournament enjoying a four-match winning streak.
Coach Ugo Broos preferred Percy Tau, Evidence Makgopa and Themba Zwane in attack while handling a place to Mokoena in the midfield. Grant Kekana marshalled the defence along with Aubrey Modiba is the match.
The game started with both sides aiming for early goals, the best chance in the opening 20 minutes fell to Sphephelo Sithole and he struck a shot on target but his effort did not seriously trouble goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali who ensured that the scoreline remained goalless. Ademola Lookman came close to scoring the opening goal with a header but missed. South Africa got a great chance in the 28th minute through Percy Tau but his effort was saved by Nwabali. Iwobi’s shot did not sail into the net while Osimhen’s header missed the target before the first-half ended.
After the halftime, South Africa made spirited effort to break the deadlock and came close through Zwane but the attacker’s effort did not trouble goalkeeper Nwabali. In the 67th minute, however, Nigeria got the lead through a well-taken penalty by Troost-Ekong. South Africa almost responded immediately through Tau but could get thee ball into the net. Moment before the end of the second half, South Africa levelled through Mokoena firing a shot from the penalty spot into the net, this, forcing the game into extra time.
The extra-time went without goals from both sides which forced the game into penalties and Nigeria outwit South Africa by 4-2 to secure a place in the final.
