Rio Ferdinand: England Legend Shows Interest in AFCON After Display of Support for Nigeria

• Rio Ferdinand is backing Nigeria to win AFCON
• The Super Eagles beat South Africa in the semis
• Nigeria will face Ivory Coast in the final on Sunday

Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand joined the Africa Cup of Nations frenzy after celebrating Nigeria's victory over South Africa on Wednesday.

The Super Eagles defeated Bafana Bafana on penalties to reach the final of the 2023 AFCON after a pulsating game in Bouake.

The three-time champions will now face host nation Ivory Coast in the final in Ebimpe on Sunday.

Ferdinand will be hoping the Super Eagles win the ultimate by beating the Elephants in the final to secure their fourth AFCON title.

Ferdinand posted on X, formerly Twitter after the match, a photo of himself with his Nigerian jersey, adding the flag of the West African nation.

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The former England defender has been to Nigeria a couple of times, with his first being in 2008, where he was warmly received by the people.

Meanwhile, Nigeria beat Ivory Coast during the group stage of the competition after captain William Troost-Ekong fired from the spot in the second half, as reported by the BBC.

The final is expected to be explosive as both teams eye another AFCON title.

Nigeria last won the tournament in 2013 before Ivory Coast won their third two years later.

Iheanacho scores as Nigeria reach AFCON final

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho converted the winning penalty as Nigeria beat South Africa on Wednesday to reach the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Following a pulsating 1-1 draw after extra time, the three-time champions will now face hosts Ivory Coast, who beat DR Congo in the other semi-final, in the final on Sunday.

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Both goals in regular 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.

Nwabali saves two penalties against SA

Sports Brief also reported that 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.