Nigeria has barely qualified for the final of the African Cup of Nations. The team only defeated South Africa in the penalty shootout after extra time. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwalibi of Nigeria played a hero’s role by saving two penalties.
Nigeria took the lead after 67 minutes of play. Former FC Groningen player William Troost-Ekong, son of a Nigerian father and Dutch mother, scored from a penalty.
Just before the end, star player Victor Osimhen seemed to decide the game in favor of the Nigerians, but his goal was declared invalid after VAR intervention. When reviewing images prior to the goal, he had noticed a violation on the other side of the field in Nigeria’s penalty area. Teboho Mokoena was allowed to connect from 11 meters and did not fail: 1-1.
South Africa even had a great chance to win the match in injury time, but Khuliso Mudau shot over in front of an open goal. No goals were scored in extra time, after which Nigeria took better penalties. Nigeria won the African Cup of Nations three times, before
The final is Sunday. The opponent is the winner of the other semi-final, which is between host country Ivory Coast and Congo.