Eagles Soared Into Eighth AFCON final after edging South Africa on penalties
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are through to the Africa Cup of Nations final after a pulsating penalty shootout against South Africa on Wednesday.
The Nigerians prevailed 4-2 on penalties following a gripping 1-1 draw over 120 minutes in the Ivoiran city of Bouake.
Goalkeeping heroes Stanley Nwabali and Ronwen Williams took center stage at the Stade de la Paix.
Both men made athletic saves throughout the game to keep their teams level. However, the tie was defined by their penalty shootout exploits.
Nwabali emerged triumphant, saving two spot-kicks to break South African hearts.
Nigeria capitalized on Williams’ misfortune to progress to the final.
Nigeria have now won six penalty shootouts at the Africa Cup of Nations, the joint-highest tally in the competition’s history alongside Egypt.
The Super Eagles will now play in their 8th AFCON final, only Egypt (9) and Ghana (9) have played more of them.
The Nigerians, installed by the Opta Supercomputer as the new favourites to win the trophy and are now truly on their way to winning theirfourth AFCON TITLE.
