Nigeria player ratings vs South Africa: Stanley Nwabali the hero but Victor Osimhen denied in AFCON semi-final | OneFootball

Nigeria advanced to their first Africa Cup of Nations final since winning the tournament in 2013 as Kelechi Iheanacho’s deciding penalty saw them squeeze past South Africa via a penalty shootout.

William Troost-Ekong’s penalty gave them the lead in the second half, before VAR drama saw Victor Osimhen’s goal chalked off and a penalty immediately awarded to South Africa in the same passage of play.

Teboho Mokoena slammed that spot-kick home to send the game to extra time, where little goalmouth action took place.

In the end, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was Nigeria’s hero, saving two penalties as Nigeria progressed 4-2 from the shootout.

Dom Smith rated the Nigeria players’ performances...

Stanley Nwabali 8

Nigeria’s hero. On hand to make one impressive finger-tip save from Evidence Makgopa’s curling effort in the first half. Punched crosses clear, and was assured throughout. Saved from Mokoena and Makgopa in the shootout.

Nwabali was the hero in the penalty shootout

AFP via Getty Images

Semi Ajayi 6

Allowed South Africa a little more space down the left than he’d have liked, but mopped up well when called upon.

William Troost-Ekong 8

A domineering performance by Nigeria’s central defender and goalscorer. Defended confidently and scored a composed penalty in normal time before smashing his spot-kick in during the shootout.

Calvin Bassey 6

Worked hard on the left of the back three. Decent display for the Fulham man.

Bright Osayi-Samuel 6

Made one error when his backwards header handed South Africa a needlessly conceded corner kick. Did well to assist Victor Osimhen for Nigeria’s disallowed late goal.

Frank Onyeka 5

Alex Iwobi 6

Hit the target with a decent shot in the first half. Not his best performance in Super Eagles green.

Ola Aina 6

The Nottingham Forest wing-back won his duels and delivered crosses into the box whenever he had the chance. But his blazed spot-kick lost Nigeria their advantage in the shoot-out.

Moses Simon 5

A quiet night for the Nantes man, as most of Nigeria’s attacks went down the left side instead. Substituted after half an hour.

Victor Osimhen 7

Headed over from Osayi-Samuel’s second-half cross, before scoring Nigeria’s second from close range, only for VAR to disallow it.

Denied: Osimhen had a goal ruled out by VAR

AP

Ademola Lookman 7

This was a lively and impressive performance from one of the tournament’s best players. Scared South Africa’s defence whenever he ran at them.

Subs:

Alhassan Yusuf (Iwobi, 63’) 5

Made a few key interceptions in the closing minutes but then fouled Percy Tau to give South Africa their late leveller.

Samuel Chukwueze (Simon, 63’) 5

Didn’t get into the game.

Kelechi Iheanacho (Lookman, 102’) 6

Wasted the chance with a late free-kick when he under-hit the shot, but sent Nigeria to the final with his precise winning penalty.

Joe Aribo (Onyeka, 102’) 5

Struggled to impose himself despite entering the fray when play had opened up.

Terem Moffi (Osimhen, 110’) N/A

Scored his spot-kick.