Ịheanachọ wins it for Nigeria!
Ịheanachọ smashes it in to the bottom right and sends Nigeria into delrium!
Scores
Mvala has to score to keep South Africa in it – he does.
Troost-Ekong scores
Troost-Ekong smashes in.
Saved!
Makgopa misses the chance the level as the keeper saves.
Aina misses
Aina blazes over!
Mayambela converts
One pulled back for South Africa.
Nigeria scores
Slotted in by Omeruo.
Nigeria 1-0 South Africa
Teboho Mokoena, who scored in normal time… misses!
Disaster for South Africa as Nwabali saves it! He went to the same side as he went in normal time but it wasn’t as convincing a contact and Nwabali plunges to his right to push it away.
Nigeria 1-0 South Africa
Terem Moffi straight down the middle! Ronwen Williams dives to his left out of the way!
Nigeria to take first!
Here we go…
Ronwen Williams won the coin toss twice, chose the end, and chose Nigeria to go first.
FULL TIME: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
That’s it! We’re going to penalties!
Cynical tackle from Troost-Ekong
119′ Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
Another poor tackle from Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong, who Giorgio Chiellini vs Bukayo Saka-style, drags down Mayambela cynically as the pacy forward ran towards goal.
Two minutes of added time after the 120 minutes. Seconds of that left…
RED CARD for Kekana! But free kick, NOT a penalty!
118′ Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
Sub Kelechi Iheanacho stands over it and bends it towards goal…
But it’s straight at Ronwen Williams! Pretty easy save despite the fans’ gasps
108 mins: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
Osimhen rises again to meet a deep cross from the left but he flashes the header just past the upright.
2nd Extra time begins
Big turnaround for Nigeria
It took 4 minutes for Nigeria’s 2-0 lead to get flipped into a 1-1 draw.
Nigeria fans were singing “ese Baba” (thank you God) in the stadium.
Only to have what they thought was the winner converted into a penalty for the opposition.
101′ Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
Frank Onyeka gets the first yellow card of the match after dragging down a South Africa attacker.
It’s his last action of the game.
Joe Aribo replaces him, with striker Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester coming on his 49th cap in what is his first appearance at this tournament. Ademola Lookman trudges off wearily.
100′ Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
Finally signs the tension is getting to the players as there are some tetchy words between Ademola Lookman and his opposite man Khuliso Mudau.
Nigeria counter-attack through Ola Aina down the left, Lookman cuts inside and fouls Osimhen…
It’s a powerful strike but straight at a diving Williams.
91′ Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
Here we go again.
Extra time Underway
Extra time awaits
We will have extra time in this extraordinary match after it ends all-square in regulation time.
Full-time: Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
90+6: Mudau misses chance to win it at the death for South Africa!
South Africa are peppering the Nigerian box with crosses and shots, with the Super Eagles desperately blocking and defending.
They give a way a free kick. Mokoena hits it with venom from about 35 yards.
The keeper saves but it rebounds to Mudau who blazes a glorious chance just over the bar from a few yards out!
GOOOOALLLL! South Africa are level!
89′ Nigeria 1-0 South Africa
Incredible! I love this game!
Teboho Mokoena slams it in and South Africa equalise seconds before the 90 minutes are up!
Tau fouled by Alhassan Yusuf
87′ Nigeria 1-0 South Africa
The referee looked at it and, indeed, the attack started with Yusuf fouling Percy Tau inside the box.
A South Africa penalty is given.
Teboho Mokoena standing over it…
IT’S BEEN REVERSED! IT’S A SOUTH AFRICA PENALTY!
86′ Nigeria 1-0 South Africa
VAR looks at it, advises the ref to look at how the counter-attack started.
South Africa weren’t happy, they were saying there was a foul, and replays showed there was!
GOOOOAALL! Nigeria score and surely they’re in the final now!
85′ Nigeria 2-0 South Africa
Victor Osimhen taps home!
Double change for South Africa
75′ Nigeria 1-0 South Africa
With the drinks break underway, Bafana Bafana make two subs.
Striker Mihlali Mayambela on for defender Siyanda Xulu and Zakhele Lepasa on for midfielder Themba Zwane.
Attacking moves. But that’s what’s needed.
South Africa preparing changes
73′ Nigeria 1-0 South Africa
Nigeria’s captain and most-capped (109) player, Ahmed Musa, watches on nervously from the sidelines.
A short way away, South Africa are preparing several substitutions.
South Africa looked so composed and sure of themselves before the goal. Now they look ragged and desperate.
67′ Nigeria 1-0 South Africa
After scoring a brilliant penalty against Ivory Coast in the group stages, powerful and well directed, Troost-Ekong looked calm and composed before the spot-kick. Victor Osimhen offered some quiet words of encouragement.
Facing penalty-saver supreme Ronwen Williams, who hadn’t conceded a goal for eight HOURS, he struck it hard, low and along the ground slightly right of centre.
It went under Williams’ body! It was oddly directed and could have easily been saved, but with Williams diving all the way to his left, it went in the gap under his torso and just beyond his legs.
Either way, it’s in and South Africa have it all to do.
GOOOOAAAL! William Troost-Ekong scores it!
66′ Nigeria 1-0 South Africa
Captain Fantastic! Nigeria are ahead in Bouake!
The stadium erupts! The Nigeria squad are on the pitch and poor Mvala, who’s been great all game, just made a poor decision.
Troost-Ekong is mobbed.
PENALTY TO NIGERIA!
64′ Nigeria 0-0 South Africa
Out of nothing! Nigeria have a penalty!
Double change from Nigeria
62′ Nigeria 0-0 South Africa
On for Nigeria, winger Samuel Chukwueze for Moses Simon, and midfielder Alhassan Yusuf for Alex Iwobi.
Two straight swaps.
WILD shot over from Nigeria
59′ Nigeria 0-0 South Africa
That is poor, Frank Onyeka. Just before the hour mark, Ademola Lookman plays a simple square pass across the box… but under pressure from a sliding South African defender he lashes it miles wide.
So unthreatening. A wild swipe really.
55′ Nigeria 0-0 South Africa
First, Ola Aina, on the right side this time, does well to edge Percy Tau off the ball as he runs into the box. Good strength and positioning. Tau goes down wanting a foul but I think that’s a fair 50-50 challenge for the ball.
Then Moses Simon faces up Khuliso Mudau but the Mamelodi Sundowns full-back does well to block it behind for a corner.
Changes coming for Nigeria…
Here we go!
Back underway in Bouake.
Can either side find a winner inside the 90 minutes plus stoppage time?
We’ll find out.
Don’t go anywhere!
That’s the break!
Nigeria have actually only had 40% possession, South Africa 60%.
Bafana Bafana have also had the better chances. They’ll be happy so far.
Not really the case for Nigeria.
H.T: Goalless half-time
After a cross is ballooned into orbit for a Nigeria goal kick, the referee peeps and brings the half to a close.
Good save Nwabali!
38′ Nigeria 0-0 South Africa
Not long before half-time and it’s another good chance for South Africa!
I believe it’s left centre-back Mothobi Mvala who launches another rocket forward, William Troost-Ekong doesn’t deal with it and the diminutive Percy Tau nudges him (fairly) out of the way, gets himself in position and touches it off gorgeously to strike partner Makgopa.
Makgopa lines it up and bends it towards the far corner… but a partially unsighted Nwabali is wise to it and dives headlong to his left to palm it behind for a corner.
Iwobi… straight at Williams
38′ Nigeria 0-0 South Africa
Just the second shot on target for Nigeria.
Moses Simon, now on the left side, tricks his way past a couple of defenders and feeds Alex Iwobi outside the box.
His curling shot is telegraphed though and Williams can save easily.
Back underway!
33′ Nigeria 0-0 South Africa
It’s also quiet inside the stadium, to be fair, around half full.
Are penalties looming already?
The first drinks break has begun and while Nigeria are beginning to dominate possession, this game has the ominous glow of extra-time and penalties.
South Africa have squandered a very presentable chance on the counter-attack.
This will be nervy.
South Africa seeks TWO penalties!
27′ Nigeria 0-0 South Africa
The action unfolds rapidly! Right back Mudau sends it up to Makgopa, who skillfully retains possession and lays it back to the advancing Mudau on the right.
Attempting to deliver to Zwane, who is making a run into the box, Mudau faces resistance as Onyeka slides back effectively to block the ball’s trajectory.
The ball returns to Mudau, aiming to cross, but Bassey intercepts, prompting Mudau to appeal for a penalty. Replays reveal his arms were beside him as it struck his elbow, ruling out any penalty, and VAR confirms.
Subsequently, Zwane goes down after another ball is played in, yet once again, there is no foul play evident.
Impressive tackle, Ajayi!
26′ Nigeria 0-0 South Africa
Semi Ajayi executes a commendable tackle! The West Bromwich Albion centre back makes a well-timed slide to disrupt a South African offensive.
Sithole advanced the ball in pursuit of Zwane, and Ajayi slid in early, with his studs slightly elevated, but the timing was impeccable, securing a clean win of the ball. Fair play.
Free kick for Nigeria
21′ Nigeria 0-0 South Africa
Ah, silly foul from striker Evidence Makgopa.
He tracks Frank Onyeka all the way back to the edge of his own penalty area but sticks a foot in needlessly and it’s a free kick to Nigeria around 20 yards out on the left-hand side outside the box.
Ola Aina and Ademola Lookman standing over it. Surely a shot from Lookman…
Nwabali’s first save
17′ Nigeria 0-0 South Africa
The first shot on target of the game! It’s Sphephelo Sithole with it, a curling strike from outside the area, but it’s fairly easy for a well-positioned Nwabali in goal.
They need to test him more than that.
Commentary suggests Nigeria’s extra day’s rest before this semi-final might have ben a factor in this slightly sluggish start for Bafana Bafana.
14′ Nigeria 0-0 South Africa
Watch out, Ronwen Williams!
Ola Aina swings in a nice dipping cross from the right, the South Africa goalkeeper charges out of goal but despite a flap gets nowhere near it.
Luckily for him, it evades Moses Simon at the back post and swings out of play.
9′ Nigeria 0-0 South Africa
This tournament is the first ever time that four former champions have made the semi-finals at AFCON.
5′ Nigeria 0-0 South Africa
Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina is playing in an ever-so-slightly unfamiliar position of left wing-back.
Previously, he’s been on the right with Zaidu Sanusi on the left. But Sanusi is out, meaning Bright Osayi-Samuel of Fenerbahce is on the right.
Up against the excellent South African right back Khuliso Mudau, Aina runs it out on the byline.
Osimhen down in pain
1′ Nigeria 0-0 South Africa
Oh my goodness, what a gigantic blow this would be.
Nigeria’s star striker Victor Osimhen, literally seconds into the game, is down on the turf in pain.
It looks like a groin injury maybe, perhaps his abdomen.
KICK OFF: Nigeria 0-0 South Africa
Nigeria team news
The Super Eagles line up as follows.
Nigeria (3-4-3): Nwabali; Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey; Osayi-Samuel, Onyeka, Iwobi, Aina; Lookman, Osimhen, Simon.
Substitutes: Uzoho; Awaziem, Omeruo, Onyedika, Alhassan, Aribo, Musa, Chukwueze, Moffi, Iheanacho, Onuachu.
While Bafana Bafana’s XI is below.
South Africa (4-3-3): Williams; Kekana, Xulu, Mvala, Modiba; Mokoena, Zwane, Sithole; Mudau, Makgopa, Tau.
Substitutes: Mothwa, Goss; Mobbie, Mashego, Sibisi, Adams, Monare, Morena, Appollis, Lepasa, Mayambela.
Hello and welcome to Truth Live News coverage of a huge day at 2023 AFCON.
It is semi-final day in the Ivory Coast and, at the end of the day, we will know which two teams will meet in Sunday’s final.
Our focus will be on the first of the matches between Nigeria and South Africa, and then we’ll be keeping an eye on what happens in the second game between the tournament hosts and DR Congo.