Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerged as the hero of the night, denying two penalties in a heart-stopping shootout as Nigeria booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations final with a 4-2 win over South Africa on Wednesday.
Following a 1-1 draw after extra time, Nwabali stepped up to the plate, saving crucial spot-kicks from Teboho Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa. Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho, coming on specifically for the penalty shootout, coolly slotted the winning penalty to send the Super Eagles soaring.
The game itself was a tense affair, with both sides finding the net from the penalty spot in regulation time. William Troost-Ekong converted for Nigeria after Victor Osimhen was fouled in the 67th minute, but Mokoena equalized for South Africa 23 minutes later.
This victory marks Nigeria’s eighth appearance in the AFCON final, having previously reached the deciding match in 1980, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1994, 2000, and 2013. The Super Eagles have lifted the trophy three times (1980, 1994, 2013) and will be aiming to add another title to their collection on Sunday.
