Stanley Nwabali Saves Two Penalties as Nigeria beat South Africa to Reach AFCON Final

• Stanley Nwabali excelled as Nigeria beat South Africa in Bouake
• The Chippa United goalie saved two penalties in the semi-final
• The Super Eagles will face either Ivory Coast or DR Congo in the final

Stanley Nwabali was the hero for Nigeria as the Super Eagles reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d'Ivoire.

The three-time champions defeated South Africa on penalties to secure their place in Sunday's final.

The South Africa-based goalkeeper saved two from the spot to deny Bafana Bafana from advancing, with Ronwen Williams failing to make a save.

Nigeria will now face the winner of the match between host Ivory Coast and DR Congo for the ultimate in Abidjan.

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Meanwhile, the Super Eagles opened the scoring in the second half through captain William Troost-Ekong before Teboho Mokoena levelled late for South Africa after converting from a penalty.

Nwabali has been a great inclusion to the Nigeria team, having displaced Francis Uzoho as the Super Eagles' first-choice goalkeeper.

The Chippa United goalkeeper is in contention for the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award following his dazzling display at the competition which comes to an end on Sunday, February 11.

The Super Eagles will face the winner of the match between Ivory Coast and DR Congo in the final on Sunday at the Alassane Outarra Stadium in Ebimpe.

This is the first time Nigeria are reaching the final since winning the trophy for the third time in South Africa in 2013.

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported that substitute Kelechi Iheanacho scored to give Nigeria a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over South Africa on Wednesday after an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final thriller in Bouake.

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The match finished 1-1 after extra time and the three-time champions will face hosts Ivory Coast or the Democratic Republic of Congo, who meet later, in the final on Sunday.

Both regular-time goals also came from penalties with captain William Troost-Ekong scoring after 67 minutes for Nigeria and Teboho Mokoena equalised from a 90th-minute spot-kick.