Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured their spot in the final of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations after a gripping showdown against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire. The match concluded in a 1-1 deadlock after regulation and extra time, leading to a tense penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Bafana Bafana faltered with two missed kicks, while Nigeria’s Ola Aina sent his penalty wide over the bar. Both regulation-time goals were scored from penalty kicks, with Nigerian Captain William Troost-Ekong converting one in the 67th minute after Victor Osimhen was fouled in the box.
Despite Nigerian celebrations following an additional goal by Osimhen in the second half, a VAR replay revealed a foul by Alhassan Yusuf on Percy Tau, awarding South Africa a penalty. Teboho Mokoena successfully converted the penalty in the 90th minute, pushing the semi-final into extra time.
Nigeria now awaits the winner of the second semi-final between Côte d’Ivoire and DR Congo for the highly anticipated final showdown.