Ekong On Netting Winning Goal; Beating RSA; Potential Meeting With Most In-form AFCON Team, Algeria

Nigeria are through to the semifinals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations following their 2-1 win against South Africa with Udinese defender William Troost-Ekong netting the game-winner one minute from time.

Ekong was delighted to net his maiden goal at the Africa Cup of Nations and blamed bad luck for the goal conceded by the Super Eagles in the 70th minute, which needed a review from the VAR before the goal was awarded to the South Africans.

''I am very proud of the team today, I think we showed again great character, we were a bit unlucky with the goal, if Ighalo didn't touch the ball it would have been offside. I am very happy I could score a goal,'' Ekong said in the mixed zone post-match.

Nigeria had not beaten South Africa in the last five attempts and they stopped the Super Eagles from going to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, prior to Wednesday's match in Cairo.

Ekong added : ''It's massive, before the game we showed South Africa enough respect. We said they are a good team, we are very happy that we won the game.

''We are on the right way but now we have another big task ahead. I am just very happy for the boys.''

Quizzed on the team he wants to face in the semifinal, the Udinese star said : ''I think they are very good teams, I can't say we prefer one of the teams.

''Before this game, everyone was talking about Egypt and then South Africa beat them, and now we beat South Africa after everyone said that they were in great form.

''We will be ready for either Algeria or Ivory Coast, we played Algeria in the last two years as well so we know what they are about but I think they are probably the most in-form team in this tournament.

''Either way you have to be ready. If you want to win this Cup then you have to beat everyone''.

Following their win vs South Africa, Nigeria have reached the semi-final in 15 out of the 18 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments they have qualified for.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel