Nerves-wracking, heart racing, and pulsating, the first game in the semi-final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations had it all.
Nigeria secured the victory via grueling penalties after Kelechi Iheanacho converted the decisive spot kick in the shootout expertly.
South Africa's Ronwen Williams couldn't reprise his magic in the quarter-final against Cape Verde, as the spirited Super Eagles flew high in Abidjan.
Anyway, Jose Peseiro's side thought they had won it in the second duration of normal time, after William Troost-Ekong slotted home a penalty in the 67th minute, following a foul on Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen drove past several South African players with determination, before he was hacked down in the area by Mothobi Mvala.
Despite Victor Osimhen showing signs of being injured, the Napoli poacher was sublime throughout the entirety of his stay in the clash.
Bafana Bafana netted their equalizer in shocking circumstances in the 90th minute, after Osimhen thought he had doubled Nigeria's lead after he was set up nicely by Bright Osayi-Samuel.
However, to the dismay and shock of millions of Nigerians across the world, referee Amin Mohamed Omar went to consult VAR to ascertain if the goal should be rightfully given.
In the footage, the Egyptian referee saw that an initial foul by Alhassan Yusuf was missed and he overturned the goal for Nigeria, pointing to the spot for a penalty to South Africa.
The penalty was netted expertly by Teboho Mokoena and deafening silence was witnessed in the section crowded by Nigerian supporters.
The encounter was filled with many edge-of-your-seat moments for both nations, as both countries had chances to go in front.
In the dying embers of the second duration in extra time, Gomolemo Grant Kekana was shown a red card for a reckless tackle on Terem Moffi, who was brought on in place of Osimhen.
Moffi was running through on goal and Kekana in his attempt to save his side from going behind in the game, fouled the Nice forward.
The intense clash culminated without a winner in regulation time and extra time, with penalties needed to settle the affair.
Many had already predicted South Africa to go through after goalkeeper Williams' heroics against Cape Verde, however, the giants of Africa stood tall.
Despite Ola Aina missing the third penalty for Nigeria, Teboho Mokoena couldn't convert for Bafana Bafana as his attempt was saved alongside that of teammate Evidence Makgopa.
Nigeria are at the cusp of glory and indeed you can't put it past them to achieve that magnificent feat.
They are chasing their 4th AFCON title in history, and the tag phrase “Let's do it again” which they adopted going into the tournament is nearly becoming a reality.
The Super Eagles will be waiting to see who comes out tops in the second semi-final game at the 2023 AFCON, with DR Congo squaring up against host nation Cote d'Ivoire at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
The final of the 2023 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will take center stage on Sunday, February 11, 2024, and the game will be played at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
Nigeria secured the victory via grueling penalties after Kelechi Iheanacho converted the decisive spot kick in the shootout expertly.
South Africa's Ronwen Williams couldn't reprise his magic in the quarter-final against Cape Verde, as the spirited Super Eagles flew high in Abidjan.
Anyway, Jose Peseiro's side thought they had won it in the second duration of normal time, after William Troost-Ekong slotted home a penalty in the 67th minute, following a foul on Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen drove past several South African players with determination, before he was hacked down in the area by Mothobi Mvala.
Despite Victor Osimhen showing signs of being injured, the Napoli poacher was sublime throughout the entirety of his stay in the clash.
Bafana Bafana netted their equalizer in shocking circumstances in the 90th minute, after Osimhen thought he had doubled Nigeria's lead after he was set up nicely by Bright Osayi-Samuel.
However, to the dismay and shock of millions of Nigerians across the world, referee Amin Mohamed Omar went to consult VAR to ascertain if the goal should be rightfully given.
In the footage, the Egyptian referee saw that an initial foul by Alhassan Yusuf was missed and he overturned the goal for Nigeria, pointing to the spot for a penalty to South Africa.
The penalty was netted expertly by Teboho Mokoena and deafening silence was witnessed in the section crowded by Nigerian supporters.
The encounter was filled with many edge-of-your-seat moments for both nations, as both countries had chances to go in front.
In the dying embers of the second duration in extra time, Gomolemo Grant Kekana was shown a red card for a reckless tackle on Terem Moffi, who was brought on in place of Osimhen.
Moffi was running through on goal and Kekana in his attempt to save his side from going behind in the game, fouled the Nice forward.
The intense clash culminated without a winner in regulation time and extra time, with penalties needed to settle the affair.
Many had already predicted South Africa to go through after goalkeeper Williams' heroics against Cape Verde, however, the giants of Africa stood tall.
Despite Ola Aina missing the third penalty for Nigeria, Teboho Mokoena couldn't convert for Bafana Bafana as his attempt was saved alongside that of teammate Evidence Makgopa.
Nigeria are at the cusp of glory and indeed you can't put it past them to achieve that magnificent feat.
They are chasing their 4th AFCON title in history, and the tag phrase “Let's do it again” which they adopted going into the tournament is nearly becoming a reality.
The Super Eagles will be waiting to see who comes out tops in the second semi-final game at the 2023 AFCON, with DR Congo squaring up against host nation Cote d'Ivoire at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
The final of the 2023 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will take center stage on Sunday, February 11, 2024, and the game will be played at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.