Nigeria vs South Africa as it happened! AFCON semi-final victory for Nigeria on penalties

Hello, big brave world, and welcome to the FourFourTwo liveblog for Nigeria vs South Africa. This is the place to get all the best buildup for the first of the AFCON 2023 semi-finals, with plenty of useful links for how to watch the match, analysis and a minute-by-minute commentary of the game itself as it kicks off.

If you’re looking for a live stream to catch all the AFCON 2023 semi-final action between Nigeria and South Africa, then check out our guide to the match that tells you how to watch from anywhere in the world. Natty, eh?

The Nigeria team is in and the Super Eagles make one change from the 1-0 quarter-final defeat of Angola as Bright Osayi-Samuel replaces Zaidu Sanusi at left-wing-back. 

That means Victor Osimhen is fit to lead the line after worries over an abdominal injury. Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka and Ademola Lookman all also start.

The South Africa XI is also in and make one change, too, as Siyanda Xulu comes into the side at centre-back, with Thapelo Morena dropping to the bench. That means right-back Khuliso Mudau will be pushed forward on the wing, with Hlompho Kekana slotting on the right-hand side of the defence.

Evidence Makgopa leads the line up front, with in-form Percy Tau to his left.

Injury news: forward Victor Osimhen had been a doubt for Nigeria, having joined up with the squad in Bouake a day late following an abdominal problem. The Napoli forward has shrugged that off, though to start. 

Elsewhere, both squads are at full strength, so strap in for a quite the contest.

Suspension news: both teams have three players desperate to avoid the AFCON equivalent of Gazza’s Italia 90 tears, as they’re a yellow card away from missing the final through suspension. 

For Nigeria, Moses Simon, Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey treading a fine line between aggression and a devastating caution. For South Africa, it’s Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana and Mothobi Mvala who are a mistimed tackle away from missing the biggest game of their lives.

Ronwen Williams was the shootout hero for South Africa in the quarter-final. The goalkeeper saved four of Cape Verde’s five penalties to take Bafana Bafana into the last four for the first time since 2000. 

Here’s a video of the save that ended 24 years of hurt…

Nigeria and South Africa have met three times in AFCON finals history. The score stands at a worrying (for South Africa) 8-1 aggregate score for Nigeria, who have won all three…

The most recent meeting between today’s teams was a 2-1 win for Nigeria in the 2019 tournament’s quarter-finals. 

Here are the highlights from that game, including current Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong’s bundled 89th-minute winner…

Golden boot watch: Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman is currently on three goals, having struck twice in the last 16 against Cameroon and firing the winner in the Super Eagles’ 1-0 quarter-final defeat of Angola. The three players above him on four and five goals all play for teams already out of the tournament.

And here's the only goal from the quarter-final victory over Angola as the former Everton winger delivered when it mattered most.

Speaking of which, how do you rate your AFCON Golden Boot winners knowledge? Try our super soaraway quiz to find out. Be warned, though, it’s tough…

Hugo Broos is looking to make his second AFCON final as coach. The former Belgium international led Cameroon to the title in 2017 when the Indomitable Lions came from a goal down to beat Egypt in Gabon. 

His opposite number, Jose Peseiro, has never won a trophy at international level.

Victor Osimhen will rise to second in the ranking of all-time scorers for Nigeria if he can find his shooting boots at AFCON and pick up just one more goal. He needs another 16 to equal Rashidi Yekini’s record. Here’s the goal that took him to 21 in just 33 caps.

That 21st strike, in the Super Eagles' opening game of the tournament is below...

Osimhen is a big deal. The reigning CAF Player of the Year has been the subject of repeated Premier League interest for more than a year. Last week, we reported how Chelsea reckon they can lure the Napoli hitman to Stamford Bridge for less than his €130m release clause.

Nigeria have failed to make the final on eight of the 15 occasions they’ve reached the AFCON semis. Those are pretty decent odds from a South African perspective.

South Africa boss Hugo Broos is taking full advantage of club relationships. 

Before today's semi-final, the entire Bafana Bafana back five – goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, right-back Khuliso Mudau, centre-backs Grant Kekana and Mothobi Mvala and left-back Aubrey Modiba – all played for Mamelodi Sundowns. Bet they like to go for long walks and attend craft fairs together, too.

Broos, however, has sprung a surprise in bringing in Siyanda Xulu of SuperSport United in at centre-back for this one. Mudau has been pushed forward into a right-wing role.

Helped by that rear guard familiarity, South Africa have kept four successive clean sheets – winning two plus two goalless draws – in AFCON finals for the first time. That’s as many as the Bafana Bafana had managed in their previous 21 tournament finals outings. Sturdy.

The atmosphere is really starting to build in Bouake for this first semi-final, with kick-off fast approaching. Here’s a view from fans outside the Stade de la Paix stadium. 

When Nigeria arrived at the ground a couple of hours ago, we were treated to some serious beats from the squad.

Check this out...

Not to be outdone, South Africa have also brought the tunes on their arrival at the stadium. 

Right, then, all the talking has been done and it's time for kick-off!

1 min: Victor Osimhen has gone done clutching his chest early on under very little contact. Could the Napoli man's abdominal injury be troubling him early doors?

6 min: It's been a slow start to the game thus far, with both teams feeling each other out. 

7 min: Nigeria knock the ball around at the back with Troost-Ekong playing through passing lines and into Alex Iwobi's feet. They're starting to play themselves into the game.

10 min: Nigeria keep dominating the ball. Frank Onyeka overhits a cross and there still hasn't been much in the way of goalmouth action.

11 min: Arguably the best performance of the opening 10 minutes has been the constant stream of music from the South African support's steel band. You want atmosphere, combined with actual music ability instead of talentless lower-league groaning, they're bringing it. 

13 min: Half chance! Ola Aina swings in a fine cross for Nigeria, South Africa keeper Ronwen Williams came out, flapped and missed everything. A worrying display of nerves from Bafana Bafana's keeper.

14 min: Shot on target! South Africa work it well down the right-hand side, square the ball back but the shot from distance is straight down Nwabali's throat in the Nigeria goal. It is, at least, a shot.

20 min: Pass, pass, pass from Nigeria. Track, track, track from South Africa. The Bafana Bafana are certainly well drilled – it's not hard to see why they haven't conceded a goal since their opening game in the group stage.

20 min: Frank Onyeka is brought down by Evidence Makgopa about 20 yards out. Free-kick in a dangerous area.

21 min: Football royalty watch – Liberian president, and ex-Ballon d'Or winner, George Weah is in attendance. So, too, is a frankly resplendent Jay-Jay Okocha up in the posh seats. 

23 min: That free-kick, well delivered by Aina, came to nothing, by the way. We got distracted by Weah, sorry!

26 min: Mudau breaks the offside trap down the right-hand side, but it's well cut out by Calvin Bassey, who gets up to block again. Mudau claims handball, there's a brief VAR check, but nothing doing. South Africa starting to look a bit more dangerous on the counterattack.

28 min: Percy Tau gets the ball at his feet in a tiny bit of space in the Nigeria box but his shot is tame and straight at Nwabali, who saves with ease. 

30 min: With half an hour gone, South Africa will probably the happier of the two teams. They're comfortable enough and Tau's chance just now is comfortably the closest either side have come to scoring.

Drinks break: As is customary at AFCON this tournament, because it's so blooming hot, there's an opportunity for the players to take on some fluids. It's still 0-0.

33 min: We're back after having a nice little drink. (The players, not me, but it's a whiskey on the rocks, if you're asking.)

34 min: Tau's outswinging corner from the left is met by midfielder Sphephelo Sithole, whose header is way over.

35 min: Tau breaks the offside trap and is bearing down on Nwabali, the goalkeeper managing to get off his line and snuff out the danger. South Africa starting to make definite inroads. 

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

36 min: Iwobi has a shot from distance but doesn't catch it right and it's straight at Ronwen Williams in the South Africa goal.

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

38 min: A long ball finds Tau on the edge of the area. His touch back finds Evidence Makgopa who shoots at Nwabali, who flies to his left and pushes out for a corner, which comes to nothing.

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

40 min: Williams comes off his line to take an Aina long throw-in with ease. 

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

43 min: South Africa now with a bit of possession. Their confidence is definitely growing. 

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

44 min: Corner for Nigeria, Osimhen rises highest but can't get his header on target. No one has had fewer touches this half than the Napoli man.

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

45 min: There will be two minutes of injury time.

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

45+1 min: South Africa knock it around down the left, move across the right but the cross is overhit by midfielder Mokoena.

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

HALF TIME: South Africa will probably feel they've been marginally the better side in a first half light on goalmouth incident. Nigeria have had a lot of the ball but done very little with it, bar a couple of crosses into the box. 

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

Looking for something to occupy yourself at half-time?

Why not have a go at this AFCON Golden Boot winner quiz? 

The Nigerian faithful have been in fine voice throughout the first half.

This guy has probably sung himself hoarse by now...

The teams are back out in Bouake and the second half will shortly be underway.

Can Nigeria perk themselves up a bit in a half South Africa grew into the ascendency?

45 min: Peep, peep, and we're off!

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

46 min: Xulu slides in to deny Osimhen in the South Africa penalty area. A brighter start from Nigeria. 

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

47 min: Lookman has been quiet thus far, but the Atalanta winger sashays down the left and nearly picks out Iwobi. 

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

49 min: Nigeria are just trying to force things a bit here. Centre-back Semi Ajayi overhits one while looking for Moses Simon.

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

50 min: Good work from Simon down the left for Nigeria. He cuts back to win a corner that's overhit but Onyek does well to keep it alive. South Africa try to break through Percy Tau, but keeper Nwabali comes out to snuff out the danger.

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

52 min: Nigeria have livened up. Osimhen wins a corner down the right, taken by Simon but it's cleared. Signs of improvement, though, for the Super Eagles.

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

54 min: Another Nigeria corner at the start of the second half, the tricky Simon again jinking his way down the left wing.

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

55 min: Well defended again by South Africa, who look as solid as a slab of granite. 

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

57 min: The ball comes in from Osayi-Samuel down the right flank, Osimhen again climbs highest but also mistimes the header which sails over. Nigeria starting to knock at the door, though.

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

58 min: South Africa midfielder Zwane show some good feet in the central areas. There's some movement on the Nigeria bench, with some changes seemingly imminent.

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

60 min: Aina and Lookman combine well down the left, the latter squaring for Onyeka who takes a shot. It's wild and it flies halfway to Ghana.

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

61 min: Nigeria double substitution. Samuel Chukwueze comes on for Moses Simon, with Alhassan Yusuf on for the tired Alex Iwobi.

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

63 min: Nigeria penalty! Osimhen is taken out in the box by Mvala in the box. Brilliant pivot, turn and surge into the area and brought down by Mvala. 

Nigeria 0-0 South Africa

It'll be Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong to take. Ronwen Williams, the South Africa keeper saved four penalties in the quarter-final shootout...

66 min: GOAL! Troost-Ekong passes calmly down the middle and the Super Eagles are in front.

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

It wasn't the best penalty from Troost-Ekong, in truth, but they all count. William more or less dived over the top of the ball that wasn't travelling particularly quickly. That's the first goal Williams has conceded in more than eight hours of football.

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

69 min: Onyeka is brought down on the right-hand channel by Mvala, who's losing his head somewhat. Good chance for Lookman to swing one in with his left foot.

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

71 min: Osimhen is starting to find his form now. Moments after some classic centre-forward play, he springs down the right and puts a dangerous cross into the box but there's no one there for Nigeria.

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

74 min: Magkopa turns brilliantly on the edge of the area, but the South Africa No.9 fires agonisingly wide. He hit that well but just wide.

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

75 min: South Africa double substitution. Hugo Broos has decided he fancies a bit of the substitute magic Nigeria have managed and makes two changes. Mihlali Mayambela and Zakhele Lepasa on for Zwale and centre-back Xulu. Broos knows he's got to go for this.

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

77 min: Subsitute Yusuf unnecessarily fouls Tau. Decent chance for South Africa put the ball in the box, but Nwabali punches clear. Good goalkeeping.

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

80 min: Nigeria still haven't conceded since the opening game of this tournament and their back three looks pretty impregnable at the moment. South Africa need to summon some magic from somewhere. Ten to go.

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

82 min: Nigeria have lost six of their last seven AFCON semi-finals but they're looking good here, that back three now a five with wing-backs Osayi-Samuel and Aina pretty deep. 

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

83 min: Huge save! Williams pounces at the feet of Lookman, who latched onto Chukwueze's cute ball inside the defender, to thwart a Nigerian second. But wait...

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

85 min: GOAL NIGERIA! It's a second for the Super Eagles. Chukwueze, who has made a real difference since coming on surges through the middle, feeds Osayi-Samuel who squares for Osimhen to tap home. There's a VAR check, though...

Nigeria 2-0 South Africa

88 min: PENALTY SOUTH AFRICA! Not only is the Nigeria goal ruled out, it's a penalty to South Africa for a foul in the box at the start of the move on Tau from Yusuf who has struggled since coming on. From 2-0 down to a chance for 1-1. This. Is. Madness. Mokoena to take...

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

88 min: Stanley Nwabali to face in goal...

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa

89 min: GOAL SOUTH AFRICA! Mokoena scores, smacking the penalty to the keeper's right. He's mobbed by his team-mates, who all come to sit on the advertising hoardings. Nwabili had no chance.

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

90 min: South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen William has gone down injured. Looks like something to do with his shoulder, potentially when thwarting at the feet of Lookman. This game has become pure chaos in the last 10 minutes. It wouldn't AFCON without it!

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

90+3 min: South Africa now pressing for a winning. Tau puts a decent ball in the box and Makgopa tries his luck with an athletic scissor kick that goes over. There's steam coming from my keyboard. 

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

90+4 min: Nigeria hanging on! South Africa fly forward and Mudau's shot is blocked. Another free-kick is given away 30 yards out. Mokoena to tak. He couldn't, could he?

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

90+5 min: MASSIVE CHANCE SOUTH AFRICA! Mudau should win it! Mokoena's free-kick is well struck but Nwabili pushes it out to Mudau, whose side-footed effort flies over the bar as he leans back. This game, I'll need counselling after it. 

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

FULL TIME: It ends 1-1, with South Africa's rousing comeback taking us to extra time. Nigeria look spent, utterly shot and mentally fragile now. Can South Africa finish it off? Extra time is coming up, right after we have a lie down...

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

Here's Troost-Ekong's penalty that gave Nigeria the lead...

Now, enjoy the minute's madness from Nigeria going 2-0 up, only for VAR to deny them and South Africa to score their own penalty. 

Ludicrous. 

BACK UNDERWAY! The teams are back out and we're cooking again in extra time.

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

96 min: After the carnage of the final 10 minutes of regular time, the pace has understandably dropped. South Africa with the territory, though.

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

98 min: Pass, pass, pass for South Africa who finally make their way into the Nigeria penalty area and win a corner down the right through Makgopa.

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

100 min: Nwabili punches the corner clear, Nigeria then break through Aina, who's been excellent through. He feeds Osimhen, whose fizzing drive is saved by Williams in the South Africa goal.

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

101 min: Nigeria double substitution. Kelechi Iheanacho and Joe Aribo come on for Lookman and Onyeka.

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

102 min: A long ball forward towards Osimhen sees Williams come way off his line but Grant Kekana snuffs out the danger for South Africa. Aina's ensuing long throw-in comes to nothing.

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

105 min: Another Aina long throw is claimed by South Africa keeper Williams. There will be one minute of added time in the first period of extra time. The pace has slowed significantly.

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

HALF TIME! Just another 15 minutes to go before the dreaded penalty shootout. Both teams look shattered.

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

Here's Khuliso Mudau's massive chance at the end of regulation time to win it for South Africa...

106 min: Chance Nigeria! Osimhen is again up the highest in the box and plants a solid header just over the bar. He's been off his game today, but that was better.

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

107 min: After some Keystone Cops defending from Calvin Bassey and Ola Aina, Nigeria concede a corner. Mokoena takes it but it's cleared.

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

109 min: South Africa again pass the ball around, content to try to lure Nigeria out of shape. Both teams are tired. 

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

110 min: Nigeria substitution. Terem Moffi on, with Osimhen removed. The Napoli striker couldn't get himself going tonight.

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

111 min: More South Africa possession, more low block defending from Nigeria. 

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

112 min: POSSIBLE NIGERIA PENALTY! Moffi, only just off the bench, sprints through and seems to wiped out by Grant Kekana's leg for South Africa. There's a VAR check...

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

114 min: The referee's going to the TV monitor and we know what that usually means...

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

115 min: NIGERIA PENALTY! The referee gives it and issues Kekana with a red card as he was the last man.

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

WAIT, NO PENALTY! It's a free-kick just on the edge of the area for Nigeria. The red card for Kekana stands

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

117 min: Iheanacho's free-kick is straight at Williams and we carry on.

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

118 min: There was a South Africa substitution but I'm afraid in all commotion of the penalty/non-penalty/red card I couldn't see who it was. Slapped wrist.

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

119 min: Chukwueze's corner is cleared by the South Africa defence. Troost-Ekong then gets a yellow for Nigeria for stopping the counter.

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

120 min: Two minutes of injury time, then it's penalties. Quarter-final spot-king Williams in the South Africa goal probably can't wait. 

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

FULL TIME! And it's down to penalties. One of Ronwen Williams and Stanley Nwabili will be a hero. 

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa

Was it in the box or wasn't it? 

So it's down to penalties. Everyone's knackered, who can stay positive and execute their spot-kick when it matters most?

Nigeria will start us off. Moffi, just off the bench, to start...

He scores, straight down the middle.

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa on penalties

Mokoena up for South Africa...

SAVED BY NWABILI! Mokoena went the same way but the goalkeeper reads it. Advantage South Africa.

Nigeria 1-0 South Africa on penalties

Omeruo scores for Nigeria! The ex-Chelsea man is the coolest man in the stadium. No problem.

Nigeria 2-0 South Africa on penalties

Mayambela up next for South Africa...

Mayambela scores! Calm, well struck to the goalkeeper's left but too good from the South African. 

Nigeria 2-1 South Africa on penalties

AINA SKIES IT! Nowhere near for the Nigerian. Both sides have missed one. South Africa have the chance to level it up. Makgopa to take...

Nigeria 2-1 South Africa on penalties

SAVED! Oh my days, Nwabili saves his second out of three penalties from Makgopa. It wasn't a great penalty.

Nigeria 2-1 South Africa on penalties

Troost-Ekong scores! The Nigeria captain scores again from the spot and blasts home. It's match point Nigeria. South Africa have to score.

Nigeria 3-1 South Africa on penalties

Mvala scores! Very calm. If Nigeria score, Iheanacho to take, they're through...

Nigeria 3-2 South Africa on penalties

NIGERIA ARE THROUGH TO THE AFCON FINAL! Iheanacho has done it!!!

Nigeria 4-2 South Africa on penalties

Iheanacho's penalty was superb. In off the post, goalkeeper Williams had no chance. Nigeria weren't great and wobbled badly after conceding the late equaliser but they kept their nerve when it mattered.

Nigeria 1-1 South Africa (Nigeria win 4-2 on penalties)

Here's the moment that Kelechi Iheanacho sent Nigeria into their eighth AFCON final...

We're going to bring this blog to a close now after yet another magnificent finish at AFCON 2023. 

This game had it all – late goals, even later misses, red cards and a penalty shootout in which Nigeria eventually prevailed. Were they the better team? Probably not, but they did keep their heads when they most needed it, Kelechi Iheanacho scoring the decisive effort.

We'll be back with another liveblog for Sunday's final, which will feature Nigeria and the winner of Ivory Coast vs DR Congo. 

Thanks for reading!