Nwaknwo Kanu: Former Arsenal Man Storms Nigeria’s Dressing Room After Shootout Win Over SA

• Super Eagles legend Nwankwo Kanu was elated after the win over South Africa
• Kanu stormed Nigeria's dressing room to commend them
• He had earlier predicted the Super Eagles would win the AFCON

Nigerian footballing legend Nwankwo Kanu could barely hide his delight as he stormed the team’s dressing room after the AFCON semi-final win over South Africa on Thursday, February 7.

The entertaining clash at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake saw the Super Eagles take the lead through William Troost-Ekong, who scored from the penalty spot midway through the second half.

But in an extraordinary end to the 90 minutes, South Africa got back in the game as the referee chopped off Victor Osimhen’s goal to give Bafana Bafana a penalty on the other end as Teboho Mokoena forced the game into extra time with his goal from 12 yards.

Asamoah Gyan praises Victor Osimhen’s passion in Nigeria's AFCON win over Cameroon

Football

A penalty shootout ensued after extra time ended in a 1-1 draw as Mokoena was one of the two South Africans to have their penalties saved by Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali. The Super Eagles ultimately won the shootout 4-2.

Kanu celebrates Super Eagles

On social media, an elated Kanu shared a video of himself embracing the Nigeria players as he hailed them for reaching the final.

“KAN U BELIEVE IT, YES I DO. What dreams are made of. What a win on the semi-finals. Congratulations Nigeria. #afcon2023    finals here we come,” he wrote on X.

The 47-year-old surely knows what it feels like to represent the national team, as he enjoyed success in football at a very young age.

He came to the limelight in 1993, winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Japan, and followed it up with a gold medal in the 1996 Olympics, where he captained the Nigeria national team, according to Fbref.com

AFCON 2023: Teboho Mokoena pays tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring free kick vs Morocco

Football

The two-time African player of the year was only 18 when Nigeria won the AFCON in 1994 and was not part of the team.

He was retired by the time the Super Eagles won the continental title again 19 years later.

Nigeria players celebrate Stanley Nwabali

In other news, Sports Brief also highlighted how the Nigeria players hailed their goalkeeper Nwabali for his heroics against South Africa.

Kelechi Ihenacho scored the winning penalty, but Super Eagles players immediately ran towards their goalkeeper to appreciate his efforts in keeping them in the competition.

The Chippa United goalkeeper has only conceded twice in 90 minutes in the lead-up to the final.