Africa Cup of Nations

Nigeria vs South Africa, 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Semifinals

· Nigeria advance 4-2 on penalties
  • 67': William Troost-Ekong (P)
FT - Penalties
1 - 1
Nigeria advance 4-2 on penalties
  • 90': Teboho Mokoena (P)
  • Red Card 115': Grant Kekana

Nigeria survive VAR drama, penalties to reach AFCON final

Three-time winners Nigeria were given a scare but reached the Africa Cup of Nations final after goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties in the shootout to guide his side to a 4-2 victory over South Africa following a 1-1 draw on Wednesday.

Match Timeline

  • 0': Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
  • 0': First Half begins.
  • 1': Delay in match because of an injury Victor Osimhen (Nigeria).
  • 2': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
  • 7': Aubrey Modiba (South Africa) wins a free kick on the left wing.
  • 7': Foul by Bright Osayi-Samuel (Nigeria).
  • 12': Offside, South Africa. Themba Zwane is caught offside.
  • 12': Evidence Makgopa (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 12': Foul by Frank Onyeka (Nigeria).
  • 15': Foul by William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria).
  • 15': Grant Kekana (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 15': Attempt saved. Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Percy Tau.
  • 18': Bright Osayi-Samuel (Nigeria) wins a free kick on the right wing.
  • 18': Foul by Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa).
  • 19': Foul by Frank Onyeka (Nigeria).
  • 19': Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 19': Hand ball by Evidence Makgopa (South Africa).
  • 22': Foul by Evidence Makgopa (South Africa).
  • 22': Frank Onyeka (Nigeria) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  • 24': Attempt saved. Semi Ajayi (Nigeria) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ademola Lookman.
  • 25': Foul by Victor Osimhen (Nigeria).
  • 25': Ronwen Williams (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 26': Foul by Evidence Makgopa (South Africa).
  • 26': Ola Aina (Nigeria) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 28': Attempt saved. Percy Tau (South Africa) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
  • 29': Foul by Frank Onyeka (Nigeria).
  • 29': Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 30': Attempt blocked. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is blocked.
  • 31': Delay in match (South Africa).
  • 33': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
  • 34': Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Bright Osayi-Samuel.
  • 34': Attempt missed. Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Percy Tau with a cross following a corner.
  • 37': Attempt saved. Alex Iwobi (Nigeria) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Moses Simon.
  • 37': Foul by Ademola Lookman (Nigeria).
  • 37': Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  • 39': Attempt saved. Evidence Makgopa (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Percy Tau.
  • 39': Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Stanley Nwabali.
  • 44': Corner, Nigeria. Conceded by Khuliso Mudau.
  • 44': Attempt missed. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Ademola Lookman with a cross following a corner.
  • 45'+1': Aubrey Modiba (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 45'+1': Foul by Ademola Lookman (Nigeria).
  • 45'+3': First Half ends, Nigeria 0, South Africa 0.
  • 45': Second Half begins Nigeria 0, South Africa 0.
  • 51': Corner, Nigeria. Conceded by Siyanda Xulu.
  • 52': Foul by Themba Zwane (South Africa).
  • 52': Frank Onyeka (Nigeria) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 53': Corner, Nigeria. Conceded by Aubrey Modiba.
  • 54': Attempt missed. Percy Tau (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Themba Zwane.
  • 55': Corner, Nigeria. Conceded by Khuliso Mudau.
  • 55': Hand ball by Ademola Lookman (Nigeria).
  • 57': Attempt missed. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Bright Osayi-Samuel with a cross.
  • 59': Foul by Victor Osimhen (Nigeria).
  • 59': Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  • 61': Attempt missed. Frank Onyeka (Nigeria) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Ademola Lookman.
  • 62': Foul by Ademola Lookman (Nigeria).
  • 62': Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 62': Substitution, Nigeria. Samuel Chukwueze replaces Moses Simon.
  • 63': Substitution, Nigeria. Alhassan Yusuf replaces Alex Iwobi.
  • 64': Penalty Nigeria. Victor Osimhen draws a foul in the penalty area.
  • 64': Penalty conceded by Mothobi Mvala (South Africa) after a foul in the penalty area.
  • 67': Goal! Nigeria 1, South Africa 0. William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
  • 68': Attempt missed. Percy Tau (South Africa) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Themba Zwane.
  • 70': Foul by Mothobi Mvala (South Africa).
  • 70': Frank Onyeka (Nigeria) wins a free kick on the right wing.
  • 73': Foul by Alhassan Yusuf (Nigeria).
  • 73': Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 73': Foul by Alhassan Yusuf (Nigeria).
  • 73': Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 75': Attempt missed. Evidence Makgopa (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Aubrey Modiba.
  • 75': Substitution, South Africa. Zakhele Lepasa replaces Themba Zwane.
  • 76': Substitution, South Africa. Mihlali Mayambela replaces Siyanda Xulu.
  • 76': Delay in match (South Africa).
  • 78': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
  • 78': Foul by Alhassan Yusuf (Nigeria).
  • 78': Khuliso Mudau (South Africa) wins a free kick on the right wing.
  • 80': Delay in match because of an injury Stanley Nwabali (Nigeria).
  • 81': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
  • 82': Foul by Teboho Mokoena (South Africa).
  • 82': Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria) wins a free kick on the right wing.
  • 82': Foul by Victor Osimhen (Nigeria).
  • 82': Khuliso Mudau (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 84': Foul by Alhassan Yusuf (Nigeria).
  • 84': Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 84': Penalty South Africa. Percy Tau draws a foul in the penalty area.
  • 84': Penalty conceded by Alhassan Yusuf (Nigeria) after a foul in the penalty area.
  • 85': GOAL OVERTURNED BY VAR: Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) scores but the goal is ruled out after a VAR review.
  • 87': VAR Decision: No Goal Nigeria 1-0 South Africa.
  • 87': Delay in match because of an injury Percy Tau (South Africa).
  • 88': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
  • 90': Goal! Nigeria 1, South Africa 1. Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
  • 90'+1': Delay in match because of an injury Ronwen Williams (South Africa).
  • 90'+2': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
  • 90'+3': Attempt missed. Evidence Makgopa (South Africa) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Teboho Mokoena with a cross.
  • 90'+4': Attempt blocked. Mihlali Mayambela (South Africa) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
  • 90'+4': Attempt blocked. Mihlali Mayambela (South Africa) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Aubrey Modiba.
  • 90'+5': Foul by Ademola Lookman (Nigeria).
  • 90'+5': Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  • 90'+6': Attempt saved. Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
  • 90'+6': Attempt missed. Khuliso Mudau (South Africa) left footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high following a set piece situation.
  • 90'+7': Attempt missed. Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Victor Osimhen.
  • 90'+7': Second Half ends, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1.
  • 90': First Half Extra Time begins Nigeria 1, South Africa 1.
  • 91': Aubrey Modiba (South Africa) wins a free kick on the left wing.
  • 91': Foul by Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria).
  • 93': Attempt saved. Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Samuel Chukwueze.
  • 94': Attempt missed. Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Mihlali Mayambela.
  • 95': Foul by Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa).
  • 95': Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  • 98': Foul by Ademola Lookman (Nigeria).
  • 98': Khuliso Mudau (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 100': Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Calvin Bassey.
  • 101': Attempt saved. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ademola Lookman.
  • 101': Foul by Frank Onyeka (Nigeria).
  • 101': Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  • 101': Frank Onyeka (Nigeria) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
  • 102': Substitution, Nigeria. Kelechi Iheanacho replaces Ademola Lookman.
  • 102': Substitution, Nigeria. Joe Aribo replaces Frank Onyeka.
  • 103': Attempt missed. William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria) header from the centre of the box misses to the left.
  • 105'+1': First Half Extra Time ends, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1.
  • 105': Second Half Extra Time begins Nigeria 1, South Africa 1.
  • 106': Attempt missed. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Ola Aina with a cross.
  • 108': Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Calvin Bassey.
  • 110': Substitution, Nigeria. Terem Moffi replaces Victor Osimhen.
  • 112': Foul by Grant Kekana (South Africa).
  • 112': Terem Moffi (Nigeria) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  • 114': VAR Decision: No Penalty Nigeria.
  • 115': Grant Kekana (South Africa) is shown the red card.
  • 117': Substitution, South Africa. Nkosinathi Sibisi replaces Zakhele Lepasa.
  • 117': Attempt saved. Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
  • 119': Attempt blocked. Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Joe Aribo.
  • 119': Corner, Nigeria. Conceded by Mothobi Mvala.
  • 120': Foul by William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria).
  • 120': Mihlali Mayambela (South Africa) wins a free kick on the left wing.
  • 120': William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
  • 120'+2': Foul by Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa).
  • 120'+2': Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 120'+2': Substitution, Nigeria. Kenneth Omeruo replaces Bright Osayi-Samuel.
  • 120'+3': Second Half Extra Time ends, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1.
  • 120': Goal! Nigeria 1(1), South Africa 1. Terem Moffi (Nigeria) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the centre of the goal.
  • 120': Penalty Shootout begins Nigeria 1(1), South Africa 1.
  • 120': Penalty saved. Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) right footed shot saved in the bottom left corner.
  • 120': Goal! Nigeria 1(2), South Africa 1. Kenneth Omeruo (Nigeria) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
  • 120': Goal! Nigeria 1(2), South Africa 1(1). Mihlali Mayambela (South Africa) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
  • 120': Penalty missed. Ola Aina (Nigeria) right footed shot is just a bit too high.
  • 120': Penalty saved. Evidence Makgopa (South Africa) right footed shot saved in the centre of the goal.
  • 120': Goal! Nigeria 1(3), South Africa 1(1). William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
  • 120': Goal! Nigeria 1(3), South Africa 1(2). Mothobi Mvala (South Africa) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
  • 120': Goal! Nigeria 1(4), South Africa 1(2). Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner.
  • 120': Penalty Shootout ends, Nigeria 1(4), South Africa 1(2).
  • 0': Match ends, Nigeria 1(4), South Africa 1(2).

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/countries/500/rsa.png&h=25&scale=crop&w=25&location=originRSA NGAhttps://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/countries/500/nga.png&h=25&scale=crop&w=25&location=origin
11 Fouls 22
0 Yellow Cards 2
1 Red Cards 0
1 Offsides 0
4 Corner Kicks 5
5 Saves 4
60.5 Possession 39.5
14 SHOTS 14
5 ON GOAL 6
0.4 On Target % 0.4
1 Penalty Goals 1
1 Penalty Kicks Taken 1
534 Accurate Passes 307
617 Passes 384
0.9 Pass Completion % 0.8
2 Accurate Crosses 4
12 Crosses 24
0.2 Cross % 0.2
51 Long Balls 56
24 Accurate Long Balls 24
0.5 Long Balls % 0.4
2 Blocked Shots 2
10 Effective Tackles 7
22 Tackles 12
0.5 Tackle % 0.6
10 Interceptions 11
22 Effective Clearances 12
22 Clearances 12

Game Information

Competition: Africa Cup of Nations

Venue: Stade de Bouaké
Location: Bouaké, Ivory Coast
Attendance: 31,227

Line-Ups

NGA Nigeria (3-4-3)

No. Name
23 Stanley Nwabali (GK)
5 William Troost-Ekong
21 Calvin Bassey
6 Semi Ajayi
17 Alex Iwobi
8 Frank Onyeka Yellow Card
2 Ola Aina
12 Bright Osayi-Samuel
9 Victor Osimhen
18 Ademola Lookman
15 Moses Simon

RSA South Africa (5-4-1)

No. Name
1 Ronwen Williams (GK)
5 Siyanda Xulu
14 Mothobi Mvala
18 Grant Kekana Red Card
6 Aubrey Modiba
20 Khuliso Mudau
13 Yaya Sithole
4 Teboho Mokoena
11 Themba Zwane
10 Percy Tau
9 Evidence Makgopa

Africa Cup of Nations News

Who will win at the 2024 CAF Awards?
Who will win at the 2024 CAF Awards?

Take a look at why these players have been nominated for the men's and women's African Footballer of the Year the 2024 CAF Awards.

Did Amorim make a mistake benching Amad vs. Arsenal?
Did Amorim make a mistake benching Amad vs. Arsenal?

Julien Laurens doesn't understand why Ruben Amorim started Amad on the bench in Manchester United's 2-0 defeat to Arsenal.

Is Otto Addo the best option to coach Ghana in World Cup qualifiers despite AFCON catastrophe?
Is Otto Addo the best option to coach Ghana in World Cup qualifiers despite AFCON catastrophe?

Otto Addo is under pressure as Ghana coach, after a catastrophic AFCON qualifying campaign, but he still has believers who think he is the best person for the job.

2025 AFCON qualifiers guide - News, scores, standings, everything you need to know
2025 AFCON qualifiers guide - News, scores, standings, everything you need to know

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign is in the books, with all 24 qualifiers for next year's biennial competition now confirmed. ESPN present the definitive recap on all things AFCON.

Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique secure last AFCON final spots
Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique secure last AFCON final spots

Tanzania upset Guinea 1-0 to qualify for the Africa Cup on Nations at the visitors' expense on Tuesday. Botswana and Mozambique grabbed the other two places to complete the lineup for the 24-team tournament in Morocco.