LAGOS - Afrobeats tunes competing with cheers, Nigerians celebrated a tense penalty victory over South Africa on Wednesday night as their team advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations finals after a scrappy semi-final match.
Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho handed Nigeria a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over South Africa after their knock-out game in Bouake, Ivory Coast.
The match ended 1-1 after extra time and Nigeria, the three-time African champions, will now face hosts Ivory Coast in the final on Sunday.
Both regular-time goals came from penalties with captain William Troost-Ekong scoring after 67 minutes for Nigeria and Teboho Mokoena equalising from a spot-kick. One Nigerian goal was disallowed, adding to the drama.
"From the onset, I felt pressure," said Nigerian caterer Kayode Qudus. "Many people are expecting more from them. Nigeria is not really happy these days, but I think this will fetch us more happiness... we must win."
For some, the victory over South Africa in football also added to the rivalry between the African giants, after Nigerian performers like Burna Boy and Davido failed to win a Grammy at the recent music awards.
In Johannesburg, supporters of the national team "Bafana Bafana", some dressed in the green, black and gold of the country's flag, said they were still proud of their team.
"Right now, it’s bad. But we're gonna forget, we will get back on our feet and we’ll try again," Kenneth Mgipa said. "We need that cup."
Whitney Langa said South Africa did not have what was needed to win.
“We had the opportunity, we were just not strong enough. Our team changed its game and now tries to play like European football," she said. "But what we know is street football, we go fast and we get to the goal. We forgot who we are, that’s why we've lost."