NWABALI Propels Nigeria into the AFCON Final After a Decade of Despair......

Bouake, IVORY COAST -- Stanley Nwabali, invited at the last moment to rescue Nigeria at the AFCON, after Nigerian managers repeatedly turned their attention to Europe, became the man to lift Nigeria into an African Cup of Nations championship game following a decade of despair. Nwabali, put up a spectacular display, during the penalty kick shoot out, after a match where he displayed impeccable sweeping from the back to pushback South Africa's attempt at an upset. The South Africans, filled with players from Mamelodi Sundowns, dominated the ball for long periods but it ended in heart break city. A few days ago, their goalkeeper had saved penalty-kicks to push South Africa through and in the game against Nigeria, they went into a game-delay strategy as extra time dwindled and they felt confident. After all, their goalkeeper will prove spectacular in another shootout. Instead, it was goalkeeper Nwabali who stole the show.

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Stanley Nwabali, invited at the last moment to rescue Nigeria at the AFCON, after Nigerian managers repeatedly turned their attention to Europe, became the man to lift Nigeria into an African Cup of Nations championship game following a decade of despair. 

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But it must be stated that Nigeria made strategic penalty kick decisions. Three of Nigeria's late substitutions came in for penalty kick intentions and all three converted -- Moffi, Iheanacho, and Omeruo. Of the three, both Moffi and Iheanacho, had not played a minute in this tournament and did not play a minute of the regulation 90 minutes today!

The game itself was difficult for Nigeria. South Africa prepared keenly and copied the Nigerians by laying down a five-person defense when Nigeria attacked. Upfront, Percy Tau posed a significant threat to Nigeria with his pace. In the end, South Africa controlled large swaths of the game and had opportunities as Nigeria's defense faced significant threat. It was the type of threat that Nigeria had not faced in this tournament.

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But it must be stated that Nigeria made strategic penalty kick decisions. Three of Nigeria's late substitutions came in for penalty kick intentions and all three converted -- Moffi, Iheanacho, and Omeruo. Of the three, both Moffi and Iheanacho, had not played a minute in this tournament and did not play a minute of the regulation 90 minutes today!

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However, Nigeria had its own opportunities with Osimhen again providing a significant threat. The report of his illness, a few days to this encounter, was terrifying to Nigerian fans but he recovered quickly for this game and his contribution was not in doubt. That he had a certain goal disallowed very late because of an earlier foul by Nigeria's Yusuf was cruel. Osimhen and his mates had begun  celebration, thinking that Nigeria was up by 2-0 but a VAR check showed an earlier foul in the box by Yusuf. The referee Amin Omar of Egypt cancelled Osimhen's goal and instead awarded a penalty kick to the South Africans that led to a 1-1 tie forcing a half hour overtime that also ended in a tie. Earlier, Nigeria had gone up by a goal after Osimhen was hauled down deep inside the box  following an exchanged pass with substitute Chukwueze. Ekong converted (68th minute). That the VAR check led to a South African goal, at the dearth of the second half, was deflating.

Yet, Nigeria appeared the better team in extra time as the South Africans slowed the pace hoping for penalty kicks. They earned it eventually but they had not counted on Nwabali's heroics... Nwabali saved two of the kicks while Nigeria's Aina was the only one to miss on Nigeria's side after he saw his attempt scale above the bar.

Nigeria will now await the winner of Ivory Coast and Congo DR game for the championship on the weekend.

Stanley Nwabali -- 9.0 -- spectacular goalkeeper-sweeper. He marshalled Nigeria's backline arriving quick at least twice to clear the lines.  Then he presented a heroic and winning effort during the penalty kicks shootout.

Bright Osayi-Samuel -- 6.0 -- Bright earned his first start at it was barely pretty with multiple errors.  He was eventually rescued late in overtime as Nigeria opted for Omeruo for penalty kick purpose.

Samuel Ajayi -- 6.4 -- Another good performance by Ajayi, highlight was when he faced 1 v 1 with a rampaging South African attacker in overtime, he stood firm to win in a dire suituation.

William Ekong (cpt) - 8.0 -- William was the strongest man in Nigeria's back line. Upfront he also presented opportunities especially on the end of the set pieces. His goal from the spot gave Nigeria the lead and he converted another penalty kick during the shootout phase. Took a professional booking in overtime as South Africa broke away in threatening position wide.

Calvin Bassey -- 6.7 -- The strongest defender at point of attack, bar Ekong.  A remarkable moment was his challenge against Mokoena deep in Nigeria's box in the 98th minute.

Ola Aina -- 6.3 -- This may have been his worst game at this tournament. He started well but then was guilty a few times of letting the South Africans behind him. Then he was the only Nigerian to miss his penalty kick during the shootout.

Ademola Lookman -- 6.2 -- Ademola was a shadow of himself on the day even on occasions when he drifted into the middle. Eventually, he was hauled off for Iheanacho during extra time as penalty kicks loomed.

Frank Onyeka --  6.5 -- Two fouls conceded within the first 20 minutes was not unusual. However, his play was strong as ever. Eventually replaced after he earned a caution at the 100th minute mark.

Alex Iwobi -- 6.3 -- A tale of two halves. Alex was the engine in the opening half presenting self, constantly, as an outlet. He also had a couple of shots in the game. He was replaced early.

Moses Simon -- 6.5 -- Moses played well but was also guilty of losing some balls as he attempted to do too much. He was eventually taken off after the interval.

Victor Osimhen -- 8.0 -- Simply incomparable. He is the HEART of this team. His all out effort after bout with illness cannot be overstated. He was the guy who earned the go-ahead penalty kick after he was hauled down deep in the box  on the hour to put Nigeria ahead. He was replaced late by Moffi as penalty kick strategy took hold. 

Alhassan Yusuf -- 6.2 -- He gave a good shift winning the ball but it was his foul in Nigeria's box that gifted South Africa a late tie and eventually led to penalty kick shootout.

Samuel Chukwueze -- 6.2 -- He had a shot saved at the 92nd minute but did not do anything spectacular, otherwise.

Joseph Aribo -- 6.2 -- He was largely anonymous except with a few passes late in injury time.

Kelechi Iheanacho -- 6.3 -- Kele struck a good freekick beyond the wall in the 118th minute but the goalkeeper was well positioned to save easily.

Terem Moffi -- 6.4 -- his breakaway late (118th) led to a key freekick deep into South African box that was not converted.

Kenneth Omeruo -- X -- Came in at the dearth of overtime but he played his role by converting his penalty kick.