Nwabali Saved! Heroic Goalkeeper ends Nigeria’s AFCON final Hiatus

Nwabali saved two penalties in the shootout and Kelechi Iheanacho converted the deciding penalty to send the Super Eagles to their 8th AFCON final, and the first since 2013.

It was a nervy game with both teams matching the opponent’s game strategy and keeping their best players at bay.

A goalless first half preceded a more open and entertaining second where both teams scored from the spot.

Nigeria broke the deadlock through captain, William Troost-Ekong who slotted home after Victor Osimhen was brought down.

The Super Eagles had piled on the pressure after Jose Peseiro effected two substitutions, bringing on Samuel Chukwueze and Alhassan Yusuf.

The duo combined well to allow Osimhen time and space with his markers before he was tripped in the box.

The Forward stepped aside for Ekong, who dispatched cooly for his second of the tournament.

Osimhen thought he had won the game for Nigeria, but for the third time in this competition, his goal was struck out for an infringement at the other end.

VAR intervened and Center Referee, Amin Omar instead awarded a penalty kick to South Africa.

Teboho Mokoena beat Nwabali – the first player to breach the goalkeeper since Nigeria’s run of victories began.

It was only the second goal against the Nigerian shot stopper, whose South African club had sparked controversy earlier in the day for wishing him victory in the match.

Mokoena would come close again, this time from 30 yards, as his free kick stung Nwabali’s gloves and a rebound from a Bafana player sailed iver the cross bar.

Chances were created on both ends and one led to a sending off, Gomolemo Kekana shown a straight red for upending Terem Moffi who was through on goal.

Iheanacho’s free kick was easily dealt with by Ronwen Williams as the game dragged into the lottery of penalties.

It was the defining moment in this rivalry, both former champions with four trophies between them, who have hoped to end their long hiatus from the final.

Nwabali saved the first kick, denying Mokoena before pulling another stunning save to stop Evidence Makgopa’s spot kick.

Williams was in outstanding form four days earlier pulling a record four penalty-saves to knockout Cape Verde in the quarter finals.

However, on Wednesday night in Bouaké, the 32 year-old was beaten three times, Nigeria’s only miss was Ola Aina’s miscued effort.

The victory, 4-2, was confirmed after Iheanacho’s goal, and Nwabali awarded the man-of the-match.

Speaking after the game, the 27 year-old spoke of his admiration for the Bafana goalie and stressed the need to remain focus.

In the final on February 11, inside Stade Alassane Ouattara, Nigeria will battle Côte d’Ivoire who pipped DR Congo 1-0 courtesy a Sébastine Haller goal, in the other semi-final match.

Earlier in the tournament, Nigeria defeated the hosts 1-nil, at the same venue.