Nwabali’s shootout heroics against South Africa send Nigeria to Afcon final

Stanley Nwabali, the Nigeria goalkeeper, saved two penalties in a dramatic shootout which his side won 4-2 following a 1-1 draw with South Africa on Wednesday, earning a place in the Africa Cup of Nations final.

Nigeria had lost five of their previous six semi-finals at the continental finals but survived some nervous moments to book a place in Sunday’s decider against either Ivory Coast, the hosts, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

William Troost-Ekong put Nigeria into the lead from the penalty spot midway through the second half, before South Africa earned a spot kick of their own in the final minute of normal time and it was converted by Teboho Mokoena.

South Africa lost Grant Kekana to a red card in extra time as Nigeria put them under constant pressure, and then lost their nerve too in the shootout as Nwabali saved from Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa.