Nigeria To play hosts Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday : AFCON final

In the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on Sunday, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on the hosts, Cote d’Ivoire.

After an exciting semifinal match in Bouake for the Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria defeated South Africa 4-2 on penalties shootouts yesterday thanks to a goal from substitute Kelechi Iheanacho.

However, Sebastien Haller’s 1-0 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo in Abidjan yesterday propelled the hosts Ivory Coast into the Africa Cup of Nations final, according to Channels TV.

Nigeria emerged victorious from the latest of several thrilling games at this biennial African football showcase in Bouake, after a 1-1 draw that went into extra time.

“Our group is in a fantastic frame of mind. . “It’s hard to beat us because there are 25 of us in the squad and we fight together”, according to Nigerian coach Jose Peseiro.

Many teams would have given up deep down, considering that second disallowed Nigerian goal and the South African equaliser.

“The players and I are extremely happy because they and we, the Super Eagles, and the Nigerian people, deserve it.”

Hugo Broos, the South Africa coach, stated: “Football can be cruel.” You lose to Cape Verde on penalties despite playing poorly. Even though you play a great game against Nigeria, you lose on penalties.

Iheanacho, a player for Leicester City, an English second-tier team, did not see action in any of the five group and knockout games that the Super Eagles needed to advance to the semi final.

He was thrust into action by Portuguese Peseiro for the first time after 102 minutes against South Africa and calmly converted the decisive spot-kick.

Nwabali, who plays for South African top-flight club Chippa United, saved shootout kicks from Teboho Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa.

Peseiro, a long-time backer of under-fire incumbent shot-stopper Francis Uzoho, dropped him for the opening group match against Equatorial Guinea and Nwabali has been an ever present.

Nwabali conceded once in a draw with the Equatoguineans, then kept four clean sheets before being beaten by a Mokoena penalty in the 90th minute of regular time.

Mudau miss

Nigeria had taken the lead 23 minutes earlier, also from a penalty, which captain William Troost-Ekong converted.

Khuliso Mudau had a great chance to win the match for South Africa just before extra time, but blazed over from close range.

South Africa captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who saved four kicks in a quarter-final shootout win over Cape Verde, could not stop a single kick.

Before Iheanacho netted, fellow substitutes Terem Moffi and Kenneth Omeruo and Troost-Ekong converted penalties and Ola Aina blazed over.

In an absorbing match watched by a 32,000 crowd, Nigeria thought they had taken a two-goal lead on 85 minutes when star forward Victor Osimhen scored.

But play was called back to the other end and, after the Egyptian referee checked the pitchside VAR monitor, he awarded South Africa the penalty that Mokoena netted.

Reigning African Player of the Year Osimhen, who started the match after recovering from abdominal discomfort, was substituted in extra time after another tireless performance.

South Africa played the final seven minutes with 10 men after Grant Kekana was shown a straight red card for a last-defender foul on Moffi.

The win sparked celebrations back in Nigeria.

“For a first time for a long time we are excited, we are happy Nigeria beat South Africa,” supporter Peace Nwanro said in Lagos. “Nigeria will keep winning.”

It will be the eighth final appearance by Nigeria, who were champions in 1980, 1994 and 2013, and the fourth by 1992 and 2015 title winners Ivory Coast.

Later, after the seesaw struggle for supremacy in Bouake, the Ivory Coast continued a remarkable comeback in the tournament by defeating DR Congo.

Sebastien Haller was the 65th-minute match-winner as his boot connected with a cross and the ball struck the ground, then rose over goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi and into the net.

Haller had missed the group stage through injury before making his first appearance in a shock last-16 victory over Senegal.

After a humiliating 4-0 thrashing by Equatorial Guinea in the group stage, the Ivorians squeezed into the knockout phase as the last of the four third-placed teams who qualified.

But the embarrassment of a record home loss to the Equatoguineans was forgotten as Franck Kessie was denied by the woodwork and Haller missed a great chance before becoming the hero.