Nigeria advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations final following a dramatic shootout, in which Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties in a 1-1 draw with South Africa on Wednesday. His team triumphed 4-2 in the shootout.
Despite having suffered five defeats in their previous six continental semi-finals, Nigeria managed to overcome a few moments of apprehension and advanced to Sunday’s final. They will face either the hosts, Ivory Coast, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Nigeria took the lead in the second half with a penalty kick by William Troost-Ekong. However, South Africa secured their own penalty kick in the dying minutes of normal time, which Teboho Mokoena converted.
Grant Kekana received a red card in extra time for South Africa due to Nigeria’s sustained pressure, and the team also lost composure in the shootout, with Nwabali making saves from Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa.
