Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning penalty as Nigeria booked their place in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a 4-2 shootout win over South Africa.
The game in Bouake finished 1-1 following a remarkable end to normal time which involved the referee going to his video monitor to disallow a Victor Osimhen strike which would have put Nigeria 2-0 up – and instead awarding a penalty to South Africa.
Teboho Mokoena converted from the spot in the 90th minute to send the game into a goalless period of extra-time where Bafana Bafana defender Grant Kekana was sent off late one.
But Mokoena was one of two South African players to see their spot-kicks saved by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali as the Super Eagles triumphed to reach Sunday’s final, where they will play either hosts Ivory Coast or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Nigeria
Formation 3-4-3
23Nwabali
6Ajayi5Troost-Ekong21Bassey
12Osayi-Samuel8Onyeka17Iwobi2Aina
15Simon9Osimhen18Lookman
- 23Nwabali
- 6Ajayi
- 5Troost-EkongBooked at 120mins
- 21Bassey
- 12Osayi-SamuelSubstituted forOmeruoat 120+2′minutes
- 8OnyekaBooked at 101minsSubstituted forAriboat 102′minutes
- 17IwobiSubstituted forYusufat 63′minutes
- 2Aina
- 15SimonSubstituted forChukwuezeat 63′minutes
- 9OsimhenSubstituted forMoffiat 110′minutes
- 18LookmanSubstituted forIheanachoat 102′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Uzoho
- 4Yusuf
- 7Musa
- 10Aribo
- 11Chukwueze
- 13Onyemaechi
- 14Iheanacho
- 16Ojo
- 20Awaziem
- 22Omeruo
- 24Moffi
- 25Onyedika
South Africa
Formation 5-4-1
1Williams
20Mudau18Kekana5Xulu14Mvala6Modiba
10Tau4Mokoena13Sithole11Zwane
9Makgopa
- 1Williams
- 20Mudau
- 18KekanaBooked at 115mins
- 5XuluSubstituted forMayambelaat 75′minutes
- 14Mvala
- 6Modiba
- 10Tau
- 4Mokoena
- 13Sithole
- 11ZwaneSubstituted forLepasaat 75′minutesSubstituted forSibisiat 117′minutes
- 9Makgopa
Substitutes
- 2Mobbie
- 3Mashego
- 7Appollis
- 8Adams
- 15Monare
- 16Mothwa
- 17Lepasa
- 19Sibisi
- 21Mayambela
- 22Goss
- 23Morena
- Referee:
- Amin Mohamed Omar
Live Text
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Match ends, Nigeria 1(4), South Africa 1(2).
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Penalty Shootout ends, Nigeria 1(4), South Africa 1(2).
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Goal! Nigeria 1(4), South Africa 1(2). Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner.
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Goal! Nigeria 1(3), South Africa 1(2). Mothobi Mvala (South Africa) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
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Goal! Nigeria 1(3), South Africa 1(1). William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
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Penalty saved. Evidence Makgopa (South Africa) right footed shot saved in the centre of the goal.
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Penalty missed. Ola Aina (Nigeria) right footed shot is just a bit too high.
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Goal! Nigeria 1(2), South Africa 1(1). Mihlali Mayambela (South Africa) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
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Goal! Nigeria 1(2), South Africa 1. Kenneth Omeruo (Nigeria) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
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Penalty saved. Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) right footed shot saved in the bottom left corner.
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Goal! Nigeria 1(1), South Africa 1. Terem Moffi (Nigeria) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the centre of the goal.
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Penalty Shootout begins Nigeria 1, South Africa 1.
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Second Half Extra Time ends, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1.
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Substitution, Nigeria. Kenneth Omeruo replaces Bright Osayi-Samuel.
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Foul by Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa).
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Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Mihlali Mayambela (South Africa) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria).
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Corner, Nigeria. Conceded by Mothobi Mvala.