Nigeria vs South Africa LIVE: Afcon semi-final result and reaction as Super Eagles win penalty shootout

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa (4-2 pens): Super Eagles advance to final after dramatic penalty shootout victory

Nigeria fans celebrate reaching AFCON final

Nigeria booked their place in their first Africa Cup of Nations final since 2013 after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over South Africa.

After a slow first half, the Super Eagles took the lead from the spot when William Troost-Ekong fired home from the spot after Victor Osimhen was brought down.

The favourites thought they had doubled the lead in the dying moments of regular time when Osimhen slammed home but a VAR check not only ruled out the goal but awarded South Africa a penalty after Alhassan Yusuf fouled Percy Tau inside the box.

Teboho Mokoena levelled from the spot before Khuliso Mudau spurned a golden opportunity to win the game for Bafana Bafana in the dying moments.

Grant Kekana saw red for South Africa in an otherwise quiet extra-time before Nigeria emerged victorious from the penalty shootout.

Relive all the action below.

Nigeria vs South Africa

• Nigeria book place in Sunday’s final after dramatic penalty shootout win
• ‘115 RED CARD! Kekana sees red after VAR check (NGA 1-1 RSA)
• ‘90+6 CHANCE! Mudau spurns golden late opportunity (NGA 1-1 RSA)
• ‘90 GOAL! Mokoena equalises after VAR drama (NGA 1-1 RSA)
• ‘67 GOAL! Troost-Ekong converts from spot (NGA 1-0 RSA)

[7 February 2024 15:45 · Ben Fleming]

Last time out for Nigeria

Nigeria were the first side to book a semi-final berth at the Africa Cup of Nations after Ademola Lookman’s first-half goal ensured a 1-0 win over Angola in the last eight.

Lookman finished off a flying run down the left by winger Moses Simon, who skipped the challenge of defender Kialonda Gaspar to break free and then teed up his team-mate for his third goal of the tournament.

Nigeria have now qualified for the semi-final in 13 of their last 15 Cup of Nations appearances and been elevated to the role of favourites at a tournament where almost all the heavyweight contenders have been dumped out.

Here’s how the Super Eagles came through their quarter-final clash

[7 February 2024 15:35 · Ben Fleming]

Nigeria handed unexpected chance to end generation of missed opportunities

Rewind to the mid- and late-1990s and there was just one African nation widely expected to become the big challenger to European and South American countries on the international football landscape: Nigeria.

The Super Eagles reached the last 16 in both ‘94 and ‘98, the iconic team of Jay-Jay Okocha, Sunday Oliseh, Finidi George and Daniel Amokachi, later added to by Nwankwo Kanu, Taribo West and Celestine Babayaro. With a significant section of the latter squad aged 24 and under, it seemed they should only go from strength to strength, particularly after winning the Africa Cup of Nations in ‘94 as well.

It didn’t quite happen that way.

Nigeria withdrew from the following Afcon after Sani Abacha’s coup d’etat, then were banned from the ‘98 edition as a consequence. It was 19 years until they won their next (and so far last) Afcon and - more notably perhaps - it is now a full quarter of a century since France ‘98, during which time they have won matches on just two further occasions at World Cup finals.

[7 February 2024 15:25 · Ben Fleming]

Nigeria vs South Africa betting tips

Nigeria and South Africa face off for a place in the Africa Cup of Nations final in their last four clash at the Stade de la Paix on Wednesday (5pm, BBC Two, Sky Sports Main Event).

Nigeria have history on their side as they seek to win their fourth Afcon title, last lifting the championship in 2013. South Africa have gone 28 years without winning the tournament, and last qualified for the final in 1998 where they lost to Egypt.

Football betting sites have installed Nigeria as 8/13 favourites for the win, but you can find a price of 13/2 for Bafana Bafana to spring a surprise and dump the Super Eagles out.

Here are our predictions for the first Afcon semi-final.

[7 February 2024 15:15 · Ben Fleming]

Nigeria vs South Africa - early team news

Former Everton and Fulham player Ademola Lookman has starred in the knockout stages so far with three goals and looks set to start again.

Victor Osimhen was taken off late against Angola, which could have been an injury, but he is in with a chance of starting on Wednesday.

South Africa are expected to largely stick with the same side that has got them into the last four.

We’ll have confirmed team news in about 45 minutes.

[7 February 2024 15:05 · Ben Fleming]

Nigeria vs South Africa - key things to know

When is it?

Nigeria vs South Africa will kick off at 5 pm GMT on Wednesday 7 February 2024 at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake.

How can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on BBC Two with coverage starting at 4.30 pm GMT as well as Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League.

The game can also be streamed live via the BBC Sport website and iPlayer website and app, while Sky subscribers can watch the match live via the Sky Go app.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

[7 February 2024 14:24 · Ben Fleming]

Good afternoon

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash between Nigeria and South Africa.

Nigeria now look to the bookies’ favourites after a host of shock departures early in the tournament. And the Super Eagles continued their superb defensive record as they eased past Angola in the quarter-final.

South Africa, meanwhile, have been one of the surprises of the tournament and reached the final four for the first time in almost a quarter of a century after a penalty shootout victory over Cape Verde.

Is there another shock in store? Stay tuned for all the build-up, team news and match updates!