Nigeria Qualifies for Afcon Final After A Dramatic Defeat of South Africa - A Game that Kept Fans At the Edge of their Seats for 120 Minutes

All The Drama: When Nigerians thought they have ran away with a 2 - 0 win, then came the disallowed Osimhen goal after VAR confirmed infringement  by Yusfu, the Mokoena equaliser, the Mudau miss and 30 minutes of end-to-end extra time action, including a red card for Kekana, before the final shootout... 

Super Eagles of Nigeria have defeated the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on a 4-2 shootout to qualify for the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The match finished 1-1 after extra time and the three-time champions will now face hosts Ivory Coast, who also defeated Democratic Republic of Congo 1 - 0, in the final on Sunday.

Regular-time goals both came from penalties with captain William Troost-Ekong scoring after 67 minutes for Nigeria and Teboho Mokoena equalised from a 90th-minute spot-kick.

The Mokoena equaliser came after Nigeria celebrated their  second goal through a tap-in from star forward Victor Osimhen.But play was called back to the other end of the field after VAR alerted the Egyptian referee that South African Percy Tau had been fouled in the area, and the match official concurred. And instead of a goal, blew penalty against Nigeria. 

Khuliso Mudau had a chance to win for South Africa in added time at the end of regular time, but blazed over after goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali parried a Mokoena free kick.

South Africa finished with 10 men when Grant Kekana was sent off on 115 minutes for a last-defender foul against Terrem Moffi at the edge of the eighteen yard box

Nigeria entered the match with a perfect record against South Africa in the premier African football competition having won three previous meetings.

The Super Eagles beat Bafana Bafana (The Boys) 2-0 in a 2000 semi-final in Nigeria, 4-0 in a group match four years later in Tunisia and 2-1 in a 2019 quarter-final in Egypt. 

Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro made one change to the team that beat Angola 1-0, bringing in Bright Osayi-Samuel for left-back Zaidu Sanusi, who did not train on the eve of the match.

Belgium-born South Africa coach Hugo Broos also made one change after victory on penalties over Cape Verde with central defender Siyanda Xulu recalled and Thapelo Morena dropping to the bench.

South Africa had an equal number of shots at goal, but more on target, greater possession, and forced more corners in a tense, lively opening half.

Barely a minute after the kick-off, reigning African Player of the Year Osimhen knelt clutching his abdomen, but he continued after treatment and worked tirelessly.

With the Super Eagles in the ascendancy, the deadlock ended midway through the second half when Mothobi Mvala fouled Osimhen and Troost-Ekong converted the penalty.

Makgopa fired narrowly wide with 15 minutes remaining as South Africa chased an equaliser in the central Ivorian city.

Then came the disallowed Osimhen goal, the Mokoena equaliser, the Mudau miss and 30 minutes of end-to-end extra time action, including a red card for Kekana, before the shootout.

Penalty shootout

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Terem Moffi scores. Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

Mokoena loses his kick.

Omeruo scored to give Nigeria a two-goal lead. Nigeria 2-0 South Africa

South Africa scores. Nigeria 2-1 South Africa

Ola Aina skies the ball over the bar. Nigeria 2-1 South Africa

South Africa takes their third kick. Nwabali dives and saves. Nigeria 2-1 South Africa.

Troost scores. Nigeria 3-1 South Africa.

South Africa scores. Nigeria 3-2 South Africa.

Iheanacho scores. Nigeria qualifies!!!

Final Result: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa (4-2 on penalties)