AFCON 2023: Nigeria, Ivory Coast to Battle for the Grand Prize
Olanrewaju Ayo
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face the Elephants of Ivory Coast in the Final Match of the Ongoing 2023 African Cup of Nations.
After an impressive tournament so far, the Nigerian National team defeated the Bafana Bafana of South Africa via penalty shoot-out in the Semi-final encounter.
In a pulsating encounter at the Stade de la Paix, Bouke, William Troost-Ekong put Nigeria in the lead from the penalty spot midway through the second half after rampaging striker Victor Osimhen was brought down inside the box, before South Africa earned a spot-kick of their own in the final minute of the 90th minute after Egyptian referee, Amin Omar, disallowed Osimhen’s goal following a VAR review, and instead awarded a penalty to South Africa after replays showed midfielder Alhassan Yusuf had fouled Percy Tau.
After the game ended in a 1-1 draw after Exra time, Nigeria goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties during the shootout on a long night at the Stade de la Paix in Bouke, as Nigeria beat South Africa 4-2 on penalties to power their hopes of winning a fourth AFCON title after successes in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
In the meantime, the Host Nation, Ivory Coast, defeated the DR Congo team 1-0 in the second semi final encounter to book a slot in the final.
The grand final of the AFCON 2023 will hold on Sunday, Febraury 11th 2024.
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