Nigeria beat South Africa on penalties to qualify for Africa Cup of Nations final

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) — Nigeria beat South Africa 4-2 on penalties Wednesday to book their place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.

William Troost-Ekong, a Nigeria defender, scored a penalty to break the deadlock in the 67th minute at Ivory Coast's Bouake.

In the 90th minute, South Africa's Teboho Mokoena converted a penalty kick of his own to take the semifinal match to extra time, which also ended 1-1. Leading to a penalty shootout to decide the winning team.

Grant Kekana, a South Africa defender, was sent off in the extra time.

Called the Super Eagles, Nigeria won 4-2 on penalties to reach the final in Abidjan.

Nigeria have won the AFCON title three times, with the last over 10 years ago.

South Africa will play a third-place playoff on Saturday.

Nigeria will play against either host nation Ivory Coast or the Democratic Republic of Congo in Sunday's final, which will begin at 2000 GMT.