Nigeria vs South Africa 4-2 pens: AFCON 2023 semifinal – as it happened
Nigeria beat South Africa 4-2 on penalties after the first CAF AFCON 2023 semifinal finished 1-1 after extra time.
This page is now closed. Thanks for joining us. These were the updates as Nigeria beat South Africa in the semifinals of the African Cup of Nations 2023 on Wednesday 7, February 3:
This page is now closed. Thanks for joining us. These were the updates as Nigeria beat South Africa in the semifinals of the African Cup of Nations 2023 on Wednesday 7, February 3:
- Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho scored to give Nigeria a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over South Africa in a thrilling first semifinal of AFCON 2023.
- The match finished 1-1 after extra time, with regular-time goals also coming from penalties as William Troost-Ekong scored mid-way through the second half for Nigeria and Teboho Mokoena equalised from a 90th-minute spot-kick.
- Three-time champions Nigeria will face the winner of Ivory Coast vs the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Sunday.
- Live updates
- Match stats
- Lineups
That’s all from this match
Thanks for joining Al Jazeera for an incredible AFCON semifinal match, we hope you enjoyed it.
To see who Nigeria will face in Sunday’s final, you can follow our live coverage of the other semifinal between hosts Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of the Congo taking place now.
A game of penalties
Nigeria had lost five of their previous six AFCON semifinals and had to overcome a very spirited South Africa to reach the final, with the game ultimately decided by penalties in normal time as well as in the shootout.
William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead from the penalty spot midway through the second half.
Victor Osimhen thought he’d sealed it with a second goal right at the end of 90 minutes, but VAR had spotted a foul before that by Alhassan Pigui on Percy Tau in the box and awarded a penalty to Bafana Bafana – which was converted by Teboho Mokoena.
Nigeria were rocked and South Africa almost won the game when Khuliso Mudau just missed a glorious chance five minutes into stoppage time.
Bafana Bafana lost defender Grant Kekana to a red card in extra time as Nigeria regained control to put them under the cosh, but they held out for penalties – only to crash out after two were saved by Stanley Nwabali.
Joy for the Super Eagles, heartache for Bafana Bafana
To the final!
Nigeria will play either hosts Ivory Coast or DRC in the final on Sunday.
That semifinal will kick off very shortly and you can follow live coverage here.
𝙏𝙊 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙁𝙄𝙉𝘼𝙇! 🚨
🦅 The Super Eagles will fly to Abidjan for the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 final! 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/zVjwQTJwHJ
— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 7, 2024
Iheanacho wins it for Nigeria!
Iheanacho smashes it into the bottom right, sending Nigeria into delirium and into the Africa Cup of Nations final!
Nigeria : OOXOO
South Africa: XOXO
Nigeria beat South Africa 4-2 on penalties!
Scores
Mvala has to score to keep South Africa in it – he does.
Nigeria : OOXO
South Africa: XOXO
Troost-Ekong scores
The captain smashes it in.
Nigeria : OOXO
South Africa: XOX
Saved!
Makgopa misses the chance the level as the keeper saves.
Nigeria : OOX
South Africa: XOX
Aina misses
Aina blazes over!
Nigeria : OOX
South Africa: XO
Mayambela converts
One pulled back for South Africa.
Nigeria : OO
South Africa: XO
Nigeria scores
Slotted in by Omeruo.
Nigeria : OO
South Africa: X
Saved!
Mokoena’s penalty is saved by the keeper!
Nigeria : O
South Africa: X
Mossi scores
Mossi takes the first for Nigeria – and scores! Straight down the middle, calm as you like.
Nigeria: O
South Africa:
Time for penalties
What an extraordinary match. Nigeria took the lead through an unconvincing Troost-Ekong penalty in the second half and thought they’d made it 2-0 with an Osimhen tap in with a couple of minutes to go.
But VAR crushed their dreams and instead awarded a penalty to South Africa for a foul in the build up, which was converted with aplomb.
Now it’s time for a penalties!
Nigeria will take the first.
End of extra time
Just time for a Nigerian substitute. Osyai-Samuel makes way for Omeru and the ref blows for full time in extra time.
Penalties it is!
120+2 mins: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
Both sides look for a late winner
Nigeria win a corner and swing it into the box, but it’s cleared and South Africa are off on a counter.
Troost-Ekong, however, is having none of it and hauls down a South African attacker – earning himself a place in the ref’s book.
Two minutes of stoppage time – then penalties if there’s no breakthrough.
120 mins: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
Iheanacho shoots
The Nigerian striker gets his free kick over the wall, but it goes harmlessly into the arms of Williams.
South Africa bring on Sibisi for Lepasa.
117 mins: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
Free kick to Nigeria, red card for Kekana
There’s a long VAR delay, then the referee heads to the monitor … no penalty, but it’s a free kick to Nigeria on the edge of the box and a red card to Grant Kekena for fouling the last man!
115 mins: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
VAR checks penalty for Nigeria
Moffi ran through on goal and he was brought down, but it might have been just outside the box…
111 mins: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
Osimhen subbed off
South Africa will probably breathe a sigh of relief as Nigeria’s danger man makes way for Terem Moffi.
Nigeria manager Jose Peseiro wouldn’t have wanted Osimhen to have played anymore as he comes back from injury.
109 mins: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
Pace has slowed
The pace has slowed considerably as both sides look knackered. South Africa pass the ball around their back line in no great hurry to make the most of the 15 mins left.
108 mins: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
Second half of extra time under way
Osimhen rises again to meet a deep cross from the left, but he flashes the header just past the upright.
106 mins: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
Half-time in extra time
One minute of stoppage time is to be played. Nigeria look for Osimhen with another ball over the top, but Williams collects and is happy to run out the clock to the half-time of extra time.
105+1 mins: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
Osimhen almost through
Osimhen is almost found with a ball over the top with Williams dashing out of his box. It bounces and a South African defender can head to safety.
Onyeka and Lookman have been subbed to be replaced by Iheanacho and Ayodele-Aribo.
113 mins: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
Shot by Osimhen
Makgopa is found by a long ball down the right, he twists and turns, trying to find half a yard to cross – it’s blocked and goes out for a corner.
Nwabali punches clear and Nigeria are instantly on the break – Osimhen shoots from distance, the ball skimming low and hard over the turf, but the keeper smothers it.
Then, the referee calls it back for a foul – giving Onyeka a yellow card.
100 mins: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa