Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho played a decisive role in Nigeria‘s 4-2 penalty shootout victory over South Africa in an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final match in Bouake.
After a thrilling encounter that ended 1-1 after extra time, with both goals scored from penalties, the three-time champions secured their spot in the final, where they will face hosts Ivory Coast or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Nigeria’s captain, William Troost-Ekong, opened the scoring with a penalty in the 67th minute, but South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena equalized with a 90th-minute spot-kick.
The equalizer came after Nigeria initially thought they had scored a second goal through Victor Osimhen, but VAR intervened and awarded South Africa a penalty for a foul on Percy Tau in the box.
In added time at the end of regular time, South Africa had a chance to win the match, but Khuliso Mudau missed the target after goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved Mokoena’s free kick.
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