AFCON 2023: Nigeria Coach Jose Peseiro Lauds South Africa, Claims They Deserved to Win

• Jose Peseiro and Nigeria are in the 2023 AFCON final
• The Super Eagles beat South Africa in the semi-finals
• Peseiro has applauded Bafana Bafana's display

Jose Peseiro has led Nigeria to their first Africa Cup of Nations since 2013 after beating South Africa on penalties.

The Portuguese tactician has heaped praise on South Africa, even claiming the 1996 champions deserved to win because of their impressive performance.

South Africa dominated the ball and created good chances throughout the game. Khuliso Mudau and Percy Tau missed some big chances in the match. Bafana Bafana striker Evidence Makgopa also missed several chances.

Although Nigeria created good openings, South Africa edged them in that area. Hugo Broos' side bossed the first half but couldn't find a way through.

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Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Frank Onyeka were also guilty of missing golden opportunities for Nigeria.

Ronwen Williams couldn't save the 1996 champions in the penalty shootout as he did against Cape Verde in the quarter-final, per BBC.

Stanley Nwabali saved Teboho Mokoena and Makgopa's penalties. The West African giants have now beaten South Africa four times at the AFCON.

Peseiro praises South Africa

After the game, Peseiro lauded Bafana Bafana and coach Hugo Broos'.

"A very good victory against a very good team. They created more problems for us than the other teams. It was difficult to beat them. Congratulations to the team and to the coach. Nigeria deserved it, but South Africa deserved too," via CAF.

The Super Eagles have now eliminated South Africa at the AFCON in the knockout stage three times, in 2000, 2019, and 2023.

South Africa will play the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday, February 10, to decide who finishes third in the competition.

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Meanwhile, Nigeria will get a Group A rematch in the final against hosts Ivory Coast. Peseiro's side last won the title in 2013, while the Elephants lifted the trophy in 2015.

Nwabali lead Nigeria to AFCON final

Sports Brief earlier reported on Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali carrying Jose Peseiro's Nigeria to the AFCON final after his incredible saves in the penalty shootouts.

Stanley Nwabali was the Super Eagles' hero, saving two penalties in the shootout. The shootout ended with a 4-2 victory for Nigeria, which secured a spot in the final.