Nigeria are a game away from toasting their fourth Africa Cup of Nations title after sailing to the final of the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast.Their last hurdle to the final wasn’t an easy one as they had to labour in regular and in the extra thirty minutes before eventually eliminating resilient South Africa 4-2.The winner had to be decided from the spot-kicks after the two African giants settled for a one-all draw in regular time and the extras.##NAJAVA_MECA_7858786##When called upon to bail their respective countries out, Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali stood out, saving two penalties to help send his country to the final for the first time since 2013.Nwabali was duly named the man of the match for keeping his nation’s hope for the title alive.Many would have predicted that South Africa’s Ronwen Williams would replicate the penalty-saving heroics he demonstrated in the quarter-finals where he saved four against Cape Verde, but it wasn’t his day.Nwabali denied Teboho Mokoena and Evidence Magkopa with Mothobi Mvala and Milhali Mayambela beating him from the spot.Uganda’s Mutyaba happy to join five-time African champions ZamalekRonwen on the other hand, conceded penalties from Terem Moffi, Kenneth Omeruo, William-Troost Ekong, and Kelechi Ihenacho.Ola Aina skied his effort.The match played at the Stade de la Paix Stadium in Bouake, saw Nigeria take the lead in the 67th minute through Troost Ekong who converted from the spot after Mvala brought Victor Osimhen down in the area.The Super Eagles held on the slim advantage until a VAR review awarded South Africa a penalty in the 90th minute which Mokoena scored.Brighton’s tested formula – sign a fast-footed African from DenmarkThe decision barely seconds after Osimhen had netted what would have been the second goal for Nigeria but the Egyptian referee correctly adjudged that Percy Tau had been fouled inside the Nigerian box in the build-up.South Africa had to play in the final minutes of the added time with a man less after centre-back Grant Kekana was sent off for a last-man challenge on Moffi following a VAR review.Kekana will therefore miss the third-place playoff game against the losing team between Ivory Coast and DR Congo.AFCON 2023 – SemifinalsResultsNigeria 4 South Africa 2 (Post-match penalties)Regular timeWilliam Troost-Ekong 67/ Teboho Mokoena 90PenaltiesTerem Moffi, Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong, Kelechi Ihenacho / Mothobi Mvala,Milhali Mayambela
