NGA 1 RSA 1 (4-2 on pens): Troost-Ekong equals goalscoring record as Super Eagles march on to AFCON final 

Nigeria defeated 4-2 South Africa on penalties in the semifinal of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations played on Wednesday evening,  with the game ending 1-1 after 120 minutes of football played.

The Super Eagles got the first chance to break the deadlock in the 13th minute when Ola Aina delivered a delicious cross into the penalty area but a touch from Ronwell Williams prevented the ball from touching the head of any Nigerian player.

South Africa quickly responded to Nigeria's threat with Sphephelo Sithole firing a harmless shot into the arms of Stanley Nwabali.

Semi Ajayi got the West African the first shot on target of the game, heading the ball directly to the goalkeeper from Ademola Lookman's free-kick 

The three-time African champions were lucky not to go behind in the 27th minute when Percy Tau found himself in a good position in the penalty area but fired his shot straight at Nwabali.

The Super Eagles were let off the hook again in the 39th minute when Evidence Makgopa aimed to find the top corner but Nwabali was there to the rescue.

Victor Osimhen got his first attempt in the 43rd minute from Ola Aina's corner kick but he couldn't direct his effort on target which would be the last chance of each side in the first half.

The second 45 minutes started with Nigeria on the front foot as Aina put a cross into a good area but the danger was averted.

Tau got the Bafana Bafana's first attempt of the second half in the 54th minute but his shot couldn't pose any threat to the Nigerian goal.

Right on the hour mark, Lookman breezed past his markers and passed the ball to Frank Onyeka who shot the ball wide.

The Super Eagles finally got the opening goal in the 67th minute from the spot when Mothobi Mvala hacked down Osimhen and William Troost-Ekong stepped up to convert the penalty.

In doing so, Troost-Ekong took his tally to four goals at the Afriica Cup of Nations and equaled the legendary Stephen Keshi as the topscoring Nigeria defender in the competition. 

Makgopa got a gold chance to restore parity in the 74th minute, turning away skillfully from Troost-Ekong before firing a low shot close to the bottom corner.

Samuel Chukwueze presented Lookman with a big chance in the 84th minute but the leading Super Eagles top scorer failed to make the most of the opportunity.

A minute later, Osimhen thought he had given Nigeria a two-goal cushion when he tucked the ball in from Bright Osayi-Samuel's pass but was ruled out due to a prior foul committed by Alhassan Yusuf which resulted in a penalty for the Bafana Bafana.

Teboho Mokoena would step up to convert from the penalty spot, sending Nwabali the wrong way right on the stoppage time.

South Africa were inches from getting the winner when Nwabali poorly spilled Mokoena's free-kick but Khuliso Mudau couldn't convert from the rebound.

Chukwueze's shot from outside the penalty area in the seventh minute of the additional minute marked the end of the regulation time.

Three minutes into the first extra time, Lookman got the chance to restore Nigeria's lead, making a powerful run into the penalty area before shooting into the strong palms of Williams.

In the 101st minute, the Atalanta forward threaded a pass to Osimhen who took a ferocious from outside the penalty area but was denied by the goalkeeper.

South Africa were reduced to 10 men in the 117th minute when center referee Amin Mohamed Omar showed the red card to Grant Kekana for a foul committed just outside the penalty area.

Kelechi Iheancho would get the final attempt of the game and he will also be responsible of sealing the Super Eagles victory during the penalty shootout.

While Iheanacho scored the winning penalty, it was Nwabali that was the hero of the game saving two spot kicks to deny South Africa a place in the final. 

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

Photo Credit: CAF

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