By Victor Kanayo
The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Wednesday night conquered the Bafana Bafana of South Africa 4-2 on penalties to edge into the final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Bourke, Cote d’ivoire.
The victory was sealed after a semi-final clash which ended 1-1 on regulation time before the extra time failed to produce a winner.
It was Kelechi Iheanacho who made his debut at the tournament that scored the winning penalty.
Before regulation time, Victor Osimhen had scored a second for Nigeria but the referee going to his video monitor disallowed the goal.
He then awarded a penalty to South Africa.
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But the midfielder 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.
The triumph confirmed Nigeria’s soccer superiority over South Africa as the former reached eight AFCON final in history, hoping to cap it with a title win on February 11, 2024.
