Nigeria and hosts Ivory Coast will meet in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final.
The Super Eagles defeated South Africa on penalties, while Ivory Coast, who had lost two games in the group stage, defeated DR Congo 1-0 to reach their first final since 2015.
The final will be played on February 11 in Abidjan.
Nigeria win dramatic semifinal tie against Bafana Bafana
Nigeria earned a penalty in the 67th minute when Osimhen was brought down in the box, and Troost-Ekong made no mistake to convert from the spot and put his side in the lead.
The Super Eagles appeared to have won when Osimhen scored late, but VAR canceled the goal and awarded South Africa a lifeline penalty following a foul in the buildup. Bafana Bafana converted through Teboho Mokoena to force extra time, after which penalties followed.
Stanley Nwabali’s goalkeeping heroics gave Nigeria an advantage in the shootout. His two saves helped the Super Eagles advance to the final.
Ronwen Williams, who saved four penalties in the quarterfinals, correctly predicted the direction of two Nigerian penalties, but his hands failed to match his gut feeling. Nwabali, on the other hand, dived in the right direction to deny Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa, resulting in a 4-2 victory for the West Africans.
Terem Moffi, Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong, and Kelechi Iheanacho converted their spot kicks, while Ola Aina was the only Nigerian that missed.
Mihlali Mayambela and Mothobi Mvala were the only Bafana Bafana players who converted their spot-kicks in the shootout.
Hosts Ivory Coast rise from Grass to Grace
Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastian Haller scored the game-winning goal for Ivory Coast by superbly flicking in Nicolas Pepe’s cross, ending the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s 50-year dream of winning the AFCON
Congo, who started the match with a protest by not singing the national anthem following the recent killings in their eastern part of the country, had a fair share of chances but their usual lack of clinicalness failed them, with Cedric Bakambu having his goal disallowed.
The stage is set in Abidjan on Sunday, with the Elephants looking to avenge their 1-0 loss to the Super Eagles in the group stage.
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Nigeria, on the other hand, will enter the final full of confidence, looking for their fourth AFCON trophy after winning it 11 years ago in South Africa.
