It's Nigeria vs Ivory Coast in AFCON Final

It's Nigeria vs Ivory Coast in AFCON Final

Nigeria defeated South Africa in the semi-finals, paving the way for an AFCON final showdown against hosts Ivory Coast.

Nigeria emerged victorious after a tense 1-1 draw in extra time against South Africa in the latest thrilling match at the biennial African football extravaganza. Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali played pivotal roles as Nigeria secured a 4-2 victory on penalties in the semi-final clash. They will now face hosts Ivory Coast in the Final. Ivory Coast secured a 1-0 win against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Abidjan.

"Our team has a tremendous state of mind. The team fights together. There are 25 of us (in the squad and) it's difficult to beat us," said Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro. South Africa coach Hugo Broos expressed, "Football can be cruel. You play a bad match against Cape Verde, you win on penalties. You play a very good match against Nigeria and lose on penalties."

Iheanacho, from English second-tier club Leicester City, had been an unused substitute in the five group and knockout matches that led the Super Eagles to the semi-finals. He was brought into action by Portuguese coach Peseiro for the first time after 102 minutes against South Africa and calmly converted the decisive spot-kick.

Nwabali, who plays for South African top-flight club Chippa United, saved shootout kicks from Teboho Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa. Peseiro, a long-time supporter of under-fire incumbent shot-stopper Francis Uzoho, dropped him for the opening group match against Equatorial Guinea, and Nwabali has been an ever-present.

Nwabali conceded once in a draw with the Equatoguineans, then kept four clean sheets before being beaten by a Mokoena penalty in the 90th minute of regular time.

Nigeria had taken the lead 23 minutes earlier, also from a penalty, which captain William Troost-Ekong converted. South Africa captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who saved four kicks in a quarter-final shootout win over Cape Verde, could not stop a single kick. Before Iheanacho netted, fellow substitutes Terem Moffi and Kenneth Omeruo and Troost-Ekong converted penalties, and Ola Aina blazed over.

In an enthralling match watched by a 32,000 crowd, Nigeria thought they had taken a two-goal lead on 85 minutes when star forward Victor Osimhen scored. But play was called back to the other end, and after the Egyptian referee checked the pitchside VAR monitor, he awarded South Africa the penalty that Mokoena netted.

Reigning African Player of the Year Osimhen, who started the match after recovering from abdominal discomfort, was substituted in extra time after another tireless performance. South Africa played the final seven minutes with 10 men after Grant Kekana was shown a straight red card for a last-defender foul on Moffi. The win sparked celebrations back in Nigeria. It will be the eighth final appearance by Nigeria, who were champions in 1980, 1994, and 2013, and the fourth by 1992 and 2015 title winners Ivory Coast.

Later, in Bouake, Ivory Coast continued a remarkable comeback in the tournament by defeating DR Congo. Sebastien Haller was the 65th-minute match-winner as his boot connected with a cross and the ball struck the ground, then rose over goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi and into the net. Haller had missed the group stage through injury before making his first appearance in a shock last-16 victory over Senegal.

After a humiliating 4-0 defeat by Equatorial Guinea in the group stage, the Ivorians squeezed into the knockout phase as the last of the four third-placed teams who qualified. But the embarrassment of a record home loss to the Equatoguineans was forgotten as Franck Kessie was denied by the woodwork and Haller missed a great chance before becoming the hero.