Nigeria avenged their musical defeat to South Africa by winning a thrilling AFCON 2024 semi-final on penalties on Wednesday night. The match was dubbed as Afrobeat vs Amapiano, after South Africa’s Tyla won a Grammy award for her song, Water, beating four Nigerian nominees on Sunday. The match was a tense and dramatic affair, with both teams scoring and missing penalties, and a red card in extra time. Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, was the night’s hero, saving two penalties in the shootout and making several crucial saves during the game. He was deservedly named the man of the match.
First half: Nigeria 0 – 0 South Africa
The first half was a cagey affair, with both teams creating chances but failing to convert them. Nigeria had a penalty appeal in the 13th minute when South Africa’s goalkeeper collided with Nigeria’s captain and defender, William Troost-Ekong, but the referee waved it off. South Africa responded with a quick counter-attack in the 15th minute, but Sithole’s shot was easily saved by Nwabali. South Africa continued to test Nigeria’s defense and had two more penalty shouts in the 26th minute, for a handball by Calvin Bassey and a push in the box, but both were ignored by the referee.
South Africa’s Evidence Makgopa had another chance in the 27th minute, but his shot was weak and straight at Nwabali for a comfortable save. Percy Tau also had a chance in the 30th minute, after a counter, but his first touch was too heavy and it rolled to Nwabali. Nigeria had their first shot on target in the 37th minute after a cutback from Moses Simon found Iwobi, but his shot was straight at the keeper. South Africa came close again in the 39th minute when a link-up between Percy Tau and Makgopa forced a big save from Nwabali.
Nigeria had the last chance of the half in the 44th minute when a header from a corner by Osimhen went wide.
Second half: Nigeria 1 – 1 South Africa
The second half was more lively and eventful, with both teams scoring and missing goals. Nigeria had the first chance of the half in the 56th minute when a cross to Osimhen was headed too high. Four minutes later, Onyeka wasted a good opportunity, shooting wide after a brilliant effort from Moses Simon to lay him the pass.
Nigeria finally broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute, when Osimhen won a penalty after holding off three defenders and being brought down in the box. Troost-Ekong stepped up and slotted it down the middle, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. Nigeria looked to have the game under control, but South Africa did not give up. They had a free kick on the edge of Nigeria’s box in the 78th minute, but Nwabali parried it away. Six minutes later, Lookman had a chance to seal the game for Nigeria, but he failed to round the keeper, who guessed right.
The drama reached its peak in the 85th minute, when Osimhen scored on a quick counter, tapping in a square pass from the edge of the box. The goal was initially ruled out for a foul in the build-up in Nigeria’s box, but after a VAR review, it was overturned and given as a penalty against Nigeria, for a foul on Percy Tau. Teboho Mokoena equalized from the spot for South Africa, sending Nwabali the wrong way. The game was level again and headed for extra time. The last minute of the regulation time saw more chaos in Nigeria’s box after Makgopa tried an overhead kick, but it went over the bar.
Extra time: Nigeria 1 – 1 South Africa
The extra time was a tense and exhausting affair, with both teams looking for the winner. Nigeria had the first chance of the extra time in the 94th minute when Lookman’s shot from the edge of the box was parried by a strong hand from South Africa’s keeper. Nigeria countered in the 100th minute and ended with a long shot from Osimhen, which forced another save from Ronwen Williams.
Six minutes later, Aina crossed to Osimhen, but he headed too high again. The game turned in Nigeria’s favor in the 112th minute, when the substitute, Terrem Moffi, was brought down as the last man in the box, with a late challenge, in a one-on-one encounter. After a VAR review, it was given as a free kick, as the challenge was on the edge of the box. Grant Kekana received a straight red card for the challenge, leaving South Africa with 10 men. Nigeria could not capitalize on the free kick, and the game went to penalties.
Penalties: Nigeria 4 – 2 South Africa
Everyone thought South Africa’s Ronwen Williams would come out on top, after saving four penalties in South Africa’s last game against Cape Verde, but instead, it was Nigeria’s Nwabali who came out as the hero, saving two penalties to send Nigeria to the final. Nigeria converted their first two penalties, by Terrem Moffi and Kenneth Omeruo, while South Africa missed their first one, by Mokoena, who had earlier scored in the game.
Nigeria missed their third penalty, by Aina, who skies it, giving South Africa a lifeline. South Africa scored their second penalty, by Tau, who sent Nwabali the wrong way. Nigeria scored their fourth penalty, by William Troost-Ekong, while South Africa missed their third one, by Makgopa, who was denied by Nwabali again, with a diving save. Nigeria had the chance to win the game with their fifth penalty, by Iheanacho, who calmly slotted it in the right corner, sparking wild celebrations among the Nigerian players and fans. The game ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time, and Nigeria won 4-2 on penalties.
Nigeria will face the host, Ivory Coast, in the AFCON 2024 Final on the 11th of February.
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