The Super Eagles of Nigeria are scheduled to face hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday.
Nigeria’s substitute, Kelechi Iheanacho, secured a 4-2 penalty shootout win over South Africa on Wednesday, following a thrilling Africa Cup of Nations semi-final match in Bouake.
The match concluded with a 1-1 draw after extra time. Both goals during regular time were scored from penalties, with Nigeria’s captain William Troost-Ekong finding the net in the 67th minute, and Teboho Mokoena equalizing with a spot-kick in the 90th minute.
On the other hand, Sebastien Haller fired hosts Ivory Coast into the Africa Cup of Nations final with a 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo in Abidjan on Wednesday.
“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.”
South Africa coach Hugo Broos 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.”
Later, after the seesaw struggle for supremacy in Bouake, the Ivory Coast continued a remarkable comeback in the tournament by defeating DR Congo.
Sebastien Haller was the 65th-minute match-winner as his boot connected with a cross and the ball struck the ground, then rose over goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi and into the net.
Haller had missed the group stage through injury before making his first appearance in a shock last-16 victory over Senegal.
After a humiliating 4-0 thrashing by Equatorial Guinea in the group stage, the Ivorians squeezed into the knockout phase as the last of the four third-placed teams who qualified.
But the embarrassment of a record home loss to the Equatoguineans was forgotten as Franck Kessie was denied by the woodwork and Haller missed a great chance to before becoming the hero.