Nigeria vs South Africa LIVE: Afcon semi-final result and reaction as Super Eagles win penalty shootout

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa (4-2 pens): Super Eagles advance to final after dramatic penalty shootout victory

Nigeria fans celebrate reaching AFCON final

Nigeria booked their place in their first Africa Cup of Nations final since 2013 after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over South Africa.

After a slow first half, the Super Eagles took the lead from the spot when William Troost-Ekong fired home from the spot after Victor Osimhen was brought down.

The favourites thought they had doubled the lead in the dying moments of regular time when Osimhen slammed home but a VAR check not only ruled out the goal but awarded South Africa a penalty after Alhassan Yusuf fouled Percy Tau inside the box.

Teboho Mokoena levelled from the spot before Khuliso Mudau spurned a golden opportunity to win the game for Bafana Bafana in the dying moments.

Grant Kekana saw red for South Africa in an otherwise quiet extra-time before Nigeria emerged victorious from the penalty shootout.

Relive all the action below.

Nigeria vs South Africa

• Nigeria book place in Sunday’s final after dramatic penalty shootout win
• ‘115 RED CARD! Kekana sees red after VAR check (NGA 1-1 RSA)
• ‘90+6 CHANCE! Mudau spurns golden late opportunity (NGA 1-1 RSA)
• ‘90 GOAL! Mokoena equalises after VAR drama (NGA 1-1 RSA)
• ‘67 GOAL! Troost-Ekong converts from spot (NGA 1-0 RSA)

[7 February 2024 18:43 · Ben Fleming]

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

83 mins: A look of concern emanating from the South African bench. Their team needs to find a moment of inspiration in the game’s final moments.

[7 February 2024 18:39 · Ben Fleming]

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

79 mins: A free-kick from the right for South Africa is whipped in by Tau but Nwabali bravely comes through the crowd to punch the ball clear before the ref blows for a foul on the Nigerian keeper.

[7 February 2024 18:36 · Ben Fleming]

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

74 mins: CLOSE! So close to an equaliser for South Africa. Makgopa spins Troost-Ekong but his fierce effort from the edge of the box goes just wide of the post with Nwabali rooted to the spot.

[7 February 2024 18:31 · Ben Fleming]

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

70 mins: Into the final twenty minutes of the game we go as Nigeria look to push for a second. Onyeka goes down outside the box and the Super Eagles have a good free-kick opportunity. Lookman delivers but Makgopa, once again, heads it clear.

[7 February 2024 18:26 · Ben Fleming]

GOAL! Nigeria 1-0 South Africa (Troost-Ekong, 67 mins)

The Super Eagles captain makes no mistake! Williams dives his left but Troost-Ekong smashes it down the middle and Nigeria lead.

[7 February 2024 18:25 · Ben Fleming]

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

64 mins: PENALTY! Osimhen goes down in the area under the challenge of Mvala and the referee points the spot. The first moment of real quality from the Super Eagles talisman and his side now have a chance to put themselves within touching distance of Sunday’s final.

[7 February 2024 18:23 · Ben Fleming]

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

62 mins: A double change for the Super Eagles as Iwobi and Simon make way for Yusuf and Chukwueze.

[7 February 2024 18:21 · Ben Fleming]

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

61 mins: Nigeria having plenty of the ball but distinctly lacking any sort of attacking creativity. Onyeka lines on up from range but it flies high and wide into the crowd.

[7 February 2024 18:17 · Ben Fleming]

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

57 mins: Osayi-Samuel clips in a cross from the right side but Osimhen can’t keep his header down. The Napoli frontman has really struggled to have an influence on this game so far.

[7 February 2024 18:14 · Ben Fleming]

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

53 mins: Another corner is swung in by Nigeria but it’s Makgopa, this time, who rises highest to clear it away. Bafana Bafana break up the other end but Tau’s appeals for a penalty are waved away by the referee.