The semi- final match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Bafafan Bafana of South Africa in Bouake ended 1-1 following a remarkable performance by both teams.
William Troost-Ekong had opened the scoring for the West Africans with a penalty midway through the second half when Osimhen’s driving run was abruptly ended inside the penalty area by a poor challenge from defender Mothobi Mvala.
Ekong will now be looking to captain Nigeria to their fourth continental title – and a first since 2013.
Nigeria went into the game with a perfect Nations Cup record against South Africa, having beaten Bafana Bafana in all three of their previous meetings in the competition including a semi-final meeting in 2000 in Lagos.
Just as the super eagles thought that they had wrapped up the game with a goal from Victor Osimhen, the referee prompted by the VAR awarded a penalty to South Africa.
Teboho Mokoena converted the VAR prompetd penalty from the spot in the 90th minute to send the game into a goalless period of extra time where Bafana Bafana defender Grant Kekana was sent off late on.
But Mokoena was one of two South African players to see their spot-kicks saved by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali as the Super Eagles triumphed to reach Sunday’s final.
The super eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili emerged as the man of the match for his astounding performance standing as a brick wall between South Africa and the final 4-2 .
The super eagles will meet the host on Sunday.
