Super Eagles have qualified for the final game of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations after beating a mulish Bafana Bafana of South Africa 4-2 in a penalty shootout.
Kelechi Iheanacho twisted in the knife after Tarem Moffi had demystified Rowen Williams who was the shootout hero in their quarterfinal game against Cape Verde. Stanley Nwabali who had been excellent all through the evening made two saves in the shootout to hand Nigeria a shot at the title in the final to be decided on Sunday.
Bafana Bafana put Nigeria under intense pressure in the first half with four clear shots at goal, and the Super Eagles were fortunate to avoid the banana peels to stay in the game.
But in the second half the Super Eagles peppered the South Africans and in the 67minute Victor Osimhen wangled his way into the box outwitting his markers. He was brought down by Grant Kekana and captain William Troosts-Ekong converted from the spot to give the Super Eagles a breather.
However, in a twist of fate VAR gave Bafana Bafana a path back into the game in the 90th minute. Osimhen had his tapped in goal disallowed and a penalty awarded against Nigeria after it was determined that Alhassan Yusuf tripped Teboho Mokoena in the Super Eagles box in the build up to the goal scored by Osimhen. Mokoena converted from the spot to send the game into a goalless period of extra-time.
The incident jadded the Super Eagles and they barely hung on, however, coach Jose Peseiro brought in Iheanacho and Moffi to have their first taste of action in the AFCON, they did not disappoint.
Moffi was fouled after being through on goal and Grant being the last man was sent off. Iheanacho shot tamely into the hands of Williams from the freekick taken at the edge of the box.
In the shootout, the Super Eagles were clinical. Ola Aina shot over the bar, but the team was relieved as Nwabali stepped up to deny the South African victory.
