Nigeria vs South Africa LIVE! AFCON result, match stream, latest reaction and updates today after penalties – Evening Standard
Sport | Football
Nigeria vs South Africa – LIVE!
Kelechi Iheanacho converted the winning penalty as Nigeria held their nerve for a 4-2 shootout win over South Africa to reach the AFCON final. William Troost-Ekong’s spot-kick in normal time had looked like sending the Super Eagles through without further stress, particularly when Victor Osimhen turned the ball home with five minutes remaining.
That goal though was chalked off, and South Africa awarded a penalty of their own for a foul in the build-up. Teboho Mokoena converted to force extra time, and penalties followed.
Mokoena could not repeat the trick in the shootout and while Ola Aina blasted his penalty over the bar, Evidence Makgopa’s miss handed the advantage back to the Super Eagles. Iheanacho had the chance to win it, and did just that to set up a final against either Ivory Coast or DR Congo.
Nigeria vs South Africa latest news
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The AFCON final is set as Ivory Coast beat DR Congo to set a date with Nigeria on Sunday.
Here’s everything you need to know about the showpiece, which is a repeat of the match-up from Group A, when William Troost-Ekong’s penalty settled the game for Nigeria.
So, South Africa will face either Ivory Coast or DR Congo in the third-place play-off on Saturday. That match will kick off at 8pm.
And then a day later, it will be Nigeria taking on the winner of the second semi-final in the main event, with kick-off also at 8pm.
Clear those diaries…
Stanley Nwabali 8
Nigeria’s hero. On hand to make one impressive finger-tip save from Evidence Makgopa’s curling effort in the first half. Punched crosses clear, and was assured throughout. Saved from Mokoena and Makgopa in the shootout.
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Nigeria were never behind in the penalty shootout – they were never even level after the first spot-kick.
South Africa had the chance to level it up, when Aina blasted over, but Makgopa then followed it up with a miss of his own.
Kelechi Iheanacho the hero for Nigeria!
The Super Eagles take a giant step towards AFCON glory.
One. More. Win.
They will face either Ivory Coast or DR Congo in Sunday’s final.
South Africa, meanwhile, will take part in the third-place play-off.
Iheanacho… WINS IT!
Nigeria win the shootout 4-2 and they are through to the AFCON final.
Mvala keeps South Africa in it!
Nigeria will win the shootout if they score their next penalty though….
Troost-Ekong, Nigeria’s first-choice penalty taker.
And he converts! Nigeria are closing in on the final.
But South Africa can’t level it up!
Makgopa with a weak penalty, easily saved.
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