AFCON 2019 Match Report: Nigeria 2-1 South Africa: Super Eagles leave it late to secure semi-final berth

Nigeria scored late to edge old foes South Africa 2-1 in their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash at the Cairo International Stadium on Wednesday night.

Despite an early onslaught from Bafana Bafana, it was the Super Eagles who took the lead in the 28th minute via Samuel Chukwueze after a close-range finish following a deflected shot that came off Buhle Mkhwanazi.

Nigeria almost punished South Africa again, when in the 36th minute Gernot Rohr’s charges went on the counter-attack through Ahmed Musa, who laid the ball well in Chukwueze’s path, but his effort sailed wide, denying him his brace.

Rohr’s side picked up from where they left off in the first period and once again came close to doubling their lead four minutes after the interval. Thulani Hlatshwayo brought down Odion Ighalo and the resulting free-kick saw Ronwen Williams draw a top save by deflecting it off his crossbar.

Despite trailing for the latter of the game, Stuart Baxter’s charges slowly grew in confidence and got their equalizer with just over 15 minutes left on the clock. Substitute Themba Zwane won a free-kick which was whipped into the box by Percy Tau. The ball came off Kenneth Omeruo and fell onto Bongani Zungu’s head and back across goal and into the net, as the Amiens midfielder scored his second goal of the tournament.

The Super Eagles were not deterred by South Africa’s equalizer and broke Mzansi hearts in the 88th minute when Moses Simon’s corner kick was completely missed by Williams, only for William Troost-Ekong to finish at the back post and book his side a semi-final spot.