Nigeria vs South Africa 4-2 pens: AFCON 2023 semifinal – as it happened
Nigeria had to defeat a fierce South Africa team to advance to the final, where they were ultimately defeated on penalties in both the regular and shootout periods. Nigeria had lost five of their previous six AFCON semifinal matches.
Halfway through the second half, William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead from the penalty spot.
Victor Osimhen believed he had put the game away with a second goal just before the ninety-minute mark, but VAR saw a foul committed by Alhassan Pigui on Percy Tau in the box earlier and gave Bafana Bafana a penalty, which Teboho Mokoena converted.
After Khuliso Mudau missed a spectacular opportunity five minutes into stoppage time, South Africa came dangerously close to winning the match and rocking Nigeria.
As Nigeria regained control and put Bafana Bafana under pressure, defender Grant Kekana was sent off in extra time. Despite this, the team held out for penalties, but Stanley Nwabali saved two of them, and they ultimately lost.
