Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho scored in a 4-2 penalty shootout victory for Nigeria over
South Africa on Wednesday, ending the Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations dreams.
The semi-final thriller finished 1-1 after extra time before Nigeria prevailed on spot kicks.

Both goals came from penalties – Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong in the 67th
minute and South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena equalizing in the 90th after a VAR review.
Mokoena’s last-gasp equalizer came after Nigeria thought they had clinched it when
Victor Osimhen tapped in a second goal. But VAR alerted the referee to a foul on Percy
Tau in the box just before.

Khuliso Mudau could have won it for South Africa but blazed over in added time. Grant
Kekana’s red card in extra time left Bafana with 10 men. Nigeria entered with a perfect
AFCON record over South Africa, winning all three previous meetings.

The loss ends South Africa’s inspired run that saw them shock Morocco to reach the
semis. But Nigeria’s pedigree showed as they contained Bafana to advance to Sunday’s
final against Ivory Coast or DR Congo.