Nigeria seals AFCON 2023 Final Berth in Thrilling Semi-Final clash
In a captivating AFCON 2023 semi-final showdown, Nigeria clinched a spot in the final by edging past South Africa in a nail-biting penalty shootout, marking their return to the championship’s pinnacle after an eleven-year hiatus.
The first half saw the Super Eagles struggle, with vulnerabilities in defense and a timid attack. Despite South Africa’s dominance, the score remained 0-0 at halftime.
After a lackluster start, Nigeria, under the guidance of coach José Luis Peseiro, displayed renewed vigor in the second half. Osimhen’s dynamic play earned a clear penalty, duly converted by Captain Troost-Ekong in the 67th minute, giving Nigeria a crucial lead.
The match took an unexpected turn when Osimhen seemingly doubled the lead in the 85th minute, only to have the goal controversially disallowed after a retrospective foul. South Africa capitalized on a penalty opportunity, with Mokoena leveling the score at 1-1 in the 90th minute.
With the deadlock persisting after 90 minutes, the game entered extra time, featuring a noteworthy moment as Kekana received a red card for a mistimed tackle on Terem Moffi. The tension escalated as the clock ticked down, but neither team could break the deadlock.
The Super Eagles now eagerly anticipate the final, set to take place at the Allassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpé. Their opponent will be determined by the outcome of the second semi-final between Ivory Coast and DR Congo at 9:00 PM. Nigeria’s journey to the final is marked by resilience, controversy, and the heroics of standout players.
