AFCON: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa (4-2 pens) – Stanley Nwabali saves twice in
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Match report and free highlights as Nigeria beat South Africa on penalties to reach Cup of Nations final; Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved twice in shootout; Nigeria will face hosts Ivory Coast in Sunday’s showpiece, after they beat DR Congo 1-0
Stanley Nwabali earned Nigeria a place in the Africa Cup of Nations final after saving two penalties in a 4-2 shootout success over South Africa.
Nigeria had lost five of their previous six semis at the continental finals but survived some nervous moments to book a place in Sunday’s decider, where they will face two-time winners Ivory Coast.
William Troost-Ekong put Nigeria into the lead from the penalty spot midway through the second half, before South Africa earned a spot kick of their own in the final minute of the 90 and it was converted by Teboho Mokoena, leaving the game at 1-1 in normal time.
South Africa lost defender Grant Kekana to a red card in extra-time as Nigeria put them under constant pressure, and then lost their nerve in the shootout soon after as Nwabali upstaged opposite number Ronwen Williams, who happened to save four penalties in South Africa’s quarter-final win over Cape Verde.
Nwabali dived bottom left to thwart Teboho Mokoena, before stopping Evidence Makgopa’s centrally placed effort to ensure the three-time champions will contest Sunday’s final against host nation Ivory Coast.
How Nigeria beat South Africa to AFCON final
South Africa find their equaliser through a late penalty call by VAR, after Victor Osimhen thought he had sent the Super Eagles to the final
The game in Bouak had barely started when Nigeria star Victor Osimhen doubled over in apparent pain. Osimhen was an injury worry before the game because of abdominal pain, but he was able to resume after a brief pause.
Percy Tau had the first real chance but shot straight at Nwabali, who then had to emerge from goal to grab the ball when Tau burst through minutes later, and produced a brilliant save to stop Makgopa’s effort from nestling in the top corner.
Nigeria got their break midway through the second half when Mothobi Mvala conceded a…
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