Nigeria 2-1 South Africa
A last-gasp goal from the knee of William Troost-Ekong sent Nigeria into the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals tonight at the Cairo International Stadium.
The Super Eagles had the better of the game, but Bafana Bafana head coach Stuart Baxter can be proud of his team, who contributed to a pulsating battle.
Nigeria made this stage by winning the game of the tournament against Cameroon, 3-2, and this was another entertaining bout for SBOBET fans.
South Africa responded after Samuel Chukwueze had put the Super Eagles ahead, and when Bongani Zungu headed an equaliser it looked like we were destined for extra time until Troost-Ekong intervened at the death.
Highlights of the game
Nigeria were expected to take the game to Bafana Bafana, but they needed a goal to settle their jitters. Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi had the first attempt, taking a pass from Alex Iwobi outside the penalty area and firing just too high.
A late goal from South Africa’s Thembinkosi Lorch stunned the football world by sending Egypt out of the tournament. That was the big Africa Cup of Nations 2019 news of the week, and the 1996 champions were, as expected, unchanged for this game.
Lorch had South Africa’s opening attempt on goal when Percy Tau put him in, but his shot from a tight angle whistled narrowly wide.
Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo was on the brink of quitting international football after the World Cup last year, but Gernot Rohr persuaded the under-fire player to stay on.
He struggled to make an impact in the early stages, cutting a lonely figure as South Africa enjoyed rather more possession than expected. But as the half wore on, Nigeria began to up the tempo and got their reward on 26 minutes.
Alex Iwobi began to test the Bafana Bafana defence and was too good for them. He evaded challenges down the left flank before crossing for Samuel Chukwueze. His first shot was blocked, but he took his second chance, side-footing past Ronwen Williams and into the bottom-left corner.
Nigeria finished the half well with Chukwueze tormenting the South African defence and went into the break with a deserved lead.
The Super Eagles came out for the second half in a mood to put the game to bed. Peter Etebo forced a good save out of Williams with a fine shot destined for the top left corner.
Ndidi met a corner from the right but his shot went wide, and as the Bafana Bafana weathered the storm they started to come out in search of an equaliser.
Thamsanqa Mkhize was having some success overlapping on the right, and when he took a ball from Kamohelo Mokotjo, he tried a shot from distance but sliced it well wide.
Then, as South Africa pressed, Bongani Zungu met a ball launched into the penalty area and landed a looping header beyond Daniel Akpeyi and into the corner of the net to make it 1-1.
Nigeria had it all to do again and their fans looked anxious. Iwobi tried to restore the lead but curled his left-foot effort over the bar. And South Africa sensed a chance to snatch another goal, Percy Tau fired a snapshot but Akpeyi held well.
But it was the Super Eagles who grabbed a winner with just a minute left on the clock, and there was an element of luck in the goal. As a cross swung into the South African penalty area Williams missed his punch and William Troost-Ekong bundled the ball home with his knee.
Ighalo almost made it 3-1 after a fast break, but Williams denied him and that was the final action as the Nigeria fans celebrated.
Key statistics
This was an entertaining bout, though Nigeria had the only shot on target in the first half. South Africa had more of the ball than expected, reaching the break having enjoyed 57 per cent possession.
The second half saw more goalmouth action, and the Super Eagles ended with 11 shots and four on target to South Africa’s five and two.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the last two African Cup of Nations and so a semi-final place is very welcome for the three times winners of the tournament.
What’s next?
The winner of Ivory Coast against Algeria awaits Nigeria, and the Super Eagles may be hoping the Elephants can overcome the Desert Foxes. Algeria have been ruthless so far in the competition.
But for the moment, the latest Africa Cup of Nations 2019 betting odds are dropping for a fourth title for Nigeria.
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