Africa Cup of Nations 2023: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa (defeated, 4-2 on penalties)

Kelechi Iheanacho scored the decisive penalty kick as Nigeria booked their place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, beating South Africa 4-2.

Teboho Mokoena scored from the penalty spot in the 90th minute to send the match into a scoreless extra-time period as Bafana Bafana defender Grant Kekana was sent off late on.

But Mokoena was one of two South African players to watch the penalty kicks saved by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabale, as the Super Eagles won to reach the final on Sunday, where they will play. Ivory Coast after the hosts' victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo.

William Troost-Ekong opened the scoring for the West Africans with a penalty kick midway through the second half, and he will now look to lead Nigeria to their fourth continental title – and first since 2013.

Super Eagles beat South Africa again

Nigeria entered the match with a perfect record in the Africa Cup of Nations against South Africa, having beaten Bafana Bafana in all three of their previous meetings in the competition including a semi-final encounter in 2000 in Lagos.

But despite being encouraged by the blaring horn sounds of the green and white fans, Jose Peseiro's side failed to live up to the favourites in a tense first half that was largely dominated by South Africa.

Striker Percy Tau had his best chance, blocking his shot straight at Nwabale when he was unmarked inside the box.

Nigeria's lack of effectiveness was reflected in the statistics, with Osimhen only touching Africa's best player nine times in the first half, including a header that went wide just before half-time.

But things came back to life after that, as Nigeria came out stronger in the second half.

Osimhen put one of many great chances by heading over the bar before Frank Onyeka fired a shot wide.

The Super Eagles finally broke the deadlock in the 67th minute when Osimhen's run ended abruptly inside the box after a poor challenge from defender Mothobi Mvala.

As in the win over Ivory Coast in the group stage, that was it Captain Troost-Ekong who handled penalty kick duties Instead of Osimhen.

The former Watford defender sent his effort into midfield and under the legs of Ronwen Williams Penalty shootout champion for South Africa In the quarter-final win over Cape Verde, the goalkeeper fell to his left.

After Evidences Makgoba fired a shot wide for South Africa, Ademola Lookman should have won it for Nigeria but he hesitated as he tried to round Williams, allowing the keeper to jump to his feet and collect the ball.

Late VAR drama denies Osimhen's presence

With just five minutes left in normal time, Osimhen thought he had won, turning in Bright Osei-Samuel's low cross after a quick counter-attack and running towards the Nigerian fans in a short-lived celebration.

The South African players were already protesting before the VAR advised referee Amin Omar to go to the screen, where the Egyptian quickly ruled out Osimhen's goal and, in another late development in this remarkable tournament, pointed to the penalty spot at the other end. An end to a previous error on Tao by Al-Hassan Yusuf.

Mokoena kept his composure to score the penalty and deny Nigeria five clean sheets in a row – and South Africa should have had the winner in the six minutes of extra time when Khulisu Mudau curled the ball over the bar after Nwabale had blocked Mokoena's free-kick into his path. .

Williams blocked efforts from Lookman and Osimhen early in extra time but the best chance came when Terem Mofe collected a through ball and ran powerfully towards the South African goal.

But Kekana stopped the substitute's run with a challenge, and after a VAR review, he was shown a straight red card and Nigeria were awarded a free kick outside the penalty area.

Iheanacho blocked Williams' shot from a free kick but settled on penalties after Nuwabale saved from Mokoena and Makgoba, with the Bafana Bafana captain unable to repeat his heroics in the last eight.