Nigeria vs. South Africa: You can’t script This!

A sigh, a let off and a win it was for Nigeria against South Africa in the AFCON 2023 Semi-final.

It was a game worthy of a Semi-final if it wasn’t enough to be classed a final. Moments, tension and well, a Christmas magic was what it needed to break the tie between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

It wasn’t Christmas, but for sure, Stanley Nwabali was living the day of Christmas as his heroics once again, aided Nigeria to the final after seeing off South Africa through penalties.

Ronwen Williams may have being Bafana Bafana’s hero in their Quarter-final clash versus Cape Verde, but against the Super Eagles, there was only one fate for the South African goalie, and that was to yield.

The Semi-final tie had the goals from both ends of the pitch all coming from the 12 yard box; 2 within normal time with South Africa first playing into Super Eagles’ Victor Osimhen’s hands to concede a penalty in the 66th minute, which Nigeria captain, William Troost-Ekong was happy to convert to put the West Africans a goal up.

However, things got exciting 10 minutes to full time whistle when Victor Osimhen thought he had sealed Nigeria into the final with what could have been his second goal in the tournament and the second goal of the game, only to be denied by a VAR ruling that gifted South Africa a penalty kick of their own.

Bafana Bafana’s Teboho Mokoena was on hand to convert the spot kick to level things up and force the game into extra time.

It was a moment of drama that turned the Super Eagles‘ advantage into a moment of despair; despair that was very much evident on Victor Osimhen’s face. It was unscripted, but dramatic.

As far as the drama could go, Grant Kekana conceded a Red Card in the extra time to leave South Africa hanging on with 10-men after committing a foul just inches from the penalty box after preventing Super Eagles substitute, Terem Moffi who was clear on goal from taking his shot.

The South African could have been seen as the villain, and of course, he still might be seen as such, but not for the Nigeria as Grant Kekana’s decision gave Stanley Nwabali a chance to prove to the world the kind of goalie he was.

Ronwen Williams had his moment in the spotlight for saving 4 spot kicks last week, but it was Stanley Nwabali who got his dues for the Super Eagles, and teammate, Kelechi Iheanacho was all too happy to fly the Nigerian jersey after scoring what was the winner.

Stanley Nwabali? The man, the Myth, the Goalie.