The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured a spot in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final after defeating South Africa in a dramatic penalty shootout, with substitute Kelechi Iheanacho sealing victory.
Meanwhile, hosts Ivory Coast clinched their place in the final with a 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Nigeria’s coach, Jose Peseiro, praised his team’s resilience, emphasizing their strong team spirit and determination.
“Our team has a huge state of mind. The team fights together, There are 25 of us (in the squad and) it’s difficult to beat us,” said Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro.
“Deep down, thinking about that second cancelled (Nigerian) goal and the (South African equaliser), a lot of teams would have given up.
“I am very happy, the players are happy, they deserve it, we deserve it, the Super Eagles deserve it, the Nigerian people deserve it.”
Reflecting on the match, South Africa’s coach, Hugo Broos, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of football said, “Football can be cruel. You play a bad match against Cape Verde, you win on penalties. You play a very good match against Nigeria and lose on penalties.”
Iheanacho’s crucial penalty kick marked a turning point in the match, as he calmly converted the decisive spot-kick, securing Nigeria’s spot in the final. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali played a pivotal role in the shootout, saving kicks from South African players.
The final will be Nigeria’s eighth appearance, while Ivory Coast will be making their fourth final appearance in the prestigious tournament.
Ivory Coast’s journey to the final has been marked by remarkable performances, including a stunning comeback after a humiliating defeat in the group stage.
Sebastien Haller emerged as the hero for Ivory Coast, scoring the match-winning goal against DR Congo.
