Image cred: Sporting News
Thursday | February 8, 2024
It took a dramatic penalty shootouts for Nigeria to break the resilient South African senior football team, Bafana Bafana, and eliminate them out of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) last night in Bouaké, Ivory Coast.
Held in Bouaké Stadium on Wednesday, both countries started slow and the game soon opened albeit few chances were created during regulation time.
The Super Eagles [Nigeria] broke the deadlock through a William Troost-Ekong (67’) penalty after Victor Osimhen was found in the 18-yard area.
Just at the stroke of the 90th minute, South Africa equalized from a penalty spot taken by Teboho Mokoena, sending the tie into extra-time.
The tension and pressure on players on either side grew as the teams, deadlocked at 1-1, were guarding their defense vigilantly.
As the 30 minutes was running out, Bafana Bafana were reduced to 10 men when Grant Kekana was shown a red card for bringing a man down sprinting towards goal.
However, the match ended in a draw and Nigeria prevailed on penalties by a 4- 2 scoreline.
Image cred: Evening Standard
Haller inspire Ivory Coast to AFCON 2023 final
Host nation Ivory Coast made it to the finals of the AFCON 2023 despite a wobbly start to the tournament.
The Elephants [Ivory Coast] narrowly beat Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 1-0, an ought goal that was scored by Sébastien Haller in the 65th minute at Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé.
The Ivorians will face Nigeria on Sunday, Feb. 11 for the battle of the African crown in the final match of the tournament.
Meanwhile, DRC will lockhorns with South Africa for the 3rd place bronze medal contest on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024.