Bafana Bafana’s AFCON dream came to an end after Hugo Broos’ 10 men lost 4-2 to Nigeria on penalties in the semi-final clash at the Stade de la Paix.
The two sides couldn’t be separated in the regulated time as they drew 1-1 in the 120 minutes. Both teams scored from the penalty spot with William Troost-Ekong scoring for Nigeria while Teboho Mokoena converted for SA.
Broos made one notable change slotting in Siyanda Xulu into a defence as he took off Thapelo Morena. This meant he would play with five defenders with two wing-backs Khuliso Mudau and Aubrey Modiba adding to the attack.
Jose Peseiro also made one change bringing on Bright Osayi-Samuel in the place of Zaidu Sanusi.
It’s the West Africans that edged SA in the feeling out process and kept on threatening with forward passing. Despite having more possession on their toes, Nigeria didn’t create many chances just like Bafana.
In the 12th minute, Ronwen Williams made a crucial fingertip save, deflecting Aina’s cross to safety as the Nottingham Forest man was searching for Victor Osimhen in the box.
Moments later, a powerful shot from Siphephelo Sithole caused Stanely Nwabali little worry as it went straight to his hands.
BAFANA BAFANA’S GROWTH IN THE GAME
The Belgium tactician’s men got into a passing rhythm as they kept on gaining confidence.
In the 27th minute, SA had a sensational build-up with Themba Zwane, Percy Tau and Sithole progressing the ball up the field. Al Ahly star, Tau had a massive chance to open the scoring but again, Nwabali dealt with it easily.
Seven minutes before the interval, Nwabali was called into action as Makgopa was looking to beat him on far post. The Chippa United shot-stopper parried the ball away to deny the Southern Africa’s side an opener.
The Super Eagles had a positive start in the second stanza controlling the game and forcing the opponents to stay in their half.
The Nigerians kept on forcing corner-kicks looking to utilise their height advantage but SA were able to deal with aerial balls.
Nigeria were handed a penalty in the 67th minute after Mvala knocked Osimhen down with an over-the-top tackle inside the box. The nation’s captain William Troost-Ekong stepped up, rattled the back of the net to put his side ahead.
Thereafter, Bafana struggled to play out from the back as they were doing in the first half and it is fair to say the Super Eagles dominated the major part of the second half.
Five minutes before the half-time, Osimhen thought he had added another one for Nigeria but only to be ruled out by VAR that later granted a penalty to SA. This was after Percy Tau seemed to have been brought down in the box.
MOKOENA BROUGHT BAFANA BACK TO THE GAME
In the 90th, Teboho Mokoena brought the 1996 champions back into the game, beating Nwabali from the spot. And SA had a glorious chance to seal it in additional time but Mudau skied the ball over the bar.
Both sides seemed to have been hit hard by fatigue in the extra-time after failing to end the game in the regulated time. Hugo Broos’ troops were in charge in the first fifteen minutes but weren’t an issue to Nigeria’s defence.
In the second 15 minutes, Grant Kekana received marching orders after he kicked Terem Moriffi as the last man on the edge of the box.
The match went to penalty kicks after 120 minutes and Super Eagles snatched a 4-2 victory to reach the final.
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