Nigeria displayed unwavering character in a rollercoaster match against South Africa, earning praise from defender Calvin Bassey for their perseverance.
Despite initially leading through Troost-Ekong’s penalty in the 67th minute, Nigeria faced a dramatic turn of events when a Video Assistant Referee review awarded South Africa a penalty, nullifying Victor Osimhen’s goal and levelling the scoreline.
Manager Jose Peseiro acknowledged the fairness of the VAR decision, albeit recognising the mental challenge it posed for his team.
Calvin Bassey lauded Nigeria’s resilience, emphasising their ability to confront adversity and maintain belief in themselves throughout the match.
Facing a formidable opponent in South Africa, Nigeria demonstrated grit and determination, ultimately prevailing in the nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerged as the hero of the shootout, earning the man of the match award and securing Nigeria’s place in the AFCON 2023 final.
Reflecting on his performance, Nwabali credited his coaches for their guidance during penalty situations, highlighting the teamwork and preparation that contributed to their success.