Nigeria has confirmed to be the first team to qualify for finals of Africa Cup of Nations 2024 after beating South Africa in a match which ended up engaging the two teams in a penalt shootout.
After a 1-1 draw during narmal and extra time, the two teams dramatically shifted to penalties, Nigeria carrying the day with 4-2 victory.
Having lost five of their previous six AFCON semifinals, Nigeria had to overcome a very spirited South Africa to make it to the final.
A Match Of Penalties
The game was ultimately decided by penalties in normal time as well as in the shootout.
William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead from the penalty spot midway through the second half.
Victor Osimhen thought he’d sealed it with a second goal right at the end of 90 minutes, but VAR had spotted a foul before that by Alhassan Pigui on Percy Tau in the box and awarded a penalty to Bafana Bafana – which was converted by Teboho Mokoena.
South Africa almost won the game when Khuliso Mudau just missed a glorious chance five minutes into stoppage time.However, defende Grant Kekana of Bafana Bafana was sent off the pitch through a red card in extra time as Nigeria regained control to put them under the cosh, but they held out for penalties – only to crash out after two were saved by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
