Afcon: Nigerian goalkeeper allegedly threatened not to return to his club following South Africa’s defeat

Nigeria (Commonwealth) _ The goalkeeper who plays for the Super Eagles, Stanley Nwabali, has allegedly received threats from South Africans not to play for his team there after Bafana Bafana’s semifinal loss to Nigeria in penalty shootouts at the current 2023 African Cup of Nations.

Before the Africa Cup of Nations, the formidable Nigerian goaltender appeared in many league games for Chippa United in the Premier Soccer League in South Africa.  This most current information came after the Super Eagles defeated South Africa’s Bafana Bafana 4-2 on penalties to earn a spot in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.

Former Super Eagles player Idah Peterside disclosed in an exclusive interview with a TV that the young athlete has received many threats on the internet from the vanquished nation.

Nigeria advanced to the finals of the fiercely tough and combative AFCON 2023, which was hosted in Ivory Coast, after defeating South Africa. Nigeria defeated South Africa 4–2 in a shootout to secure their spot in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, with Kelechi Iheanacho scoring the game-winning penalty.

The match in Bouake ended in a 1-1 draw after an incredible finale to regular time, in which the referee used his video monitor to deny a shot by Victor Osimhen that would have given Nigeria a 2-0 lead and instead awarded South Africa a penalty.

Bafana Bafana defender Grant Kekana was sent off late in the game after Teboho Mokoena scored from the penalty spot in the 90th minute to put the game into a goalless extra time.

However, Mokoena was one of two South African players who saw goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali save his spot-kicks as the Super Eagles prevailed and advanced to the Sunday final, where they will face Ivory Coast following the hosts’ victory over DR Congo. Midway through the second half, William Troost-Ekong gave the West Africans the lead with a penalty kick. Now, he will try to lead Nigeria to their fourth continental championship, their first since 2013.

Super Eagles wins against South Africa again

At the 2019 Afcon finals in Egypt, Nigeria defeated South Africa in the quarterfinals with a goal by William Troost-Ekong.  Nigeria had an unblemished record against South Africa in the Nations Cup, having defeated Bafana Bafana in all three of their prior encounters, notably in a 2000 semi-final match in Lagos.

But in a slow first half that South Africa mainly controlled, Jose Peseiro’s team fell short of expectations despite being spurred on by the boisterous horn section carried by the green and white supporters.
 Moving forward their greatest opportunity came when Percy Tau, who was unmarked inside the penalty area, scuffed his effort straight at Nwabali.

African Footballer of the Year Osimhen only managed nine touches in the first half, including a header that sailed wide shortly before halftime, demonstrating Nigeria’s lack of offensive prowess. But in the second half, Nigeria came out with more determination, and things really became exciting.

Before Frank Onyeka wasted a blazing wide, Osimhen put one of many good headed opportunities over the bar. In the 67th minute, a weak challenge by defender Mothobi Mvala inside the penalty area abruptly terminated Osimhen’s driving run, giving the Super Eagles the opportunity to break the scoreless draw.

Similar to the victory over Ivory Coast in the group stage, captain Troost-Ekong rather than Osimhen took on penalty responsibilities. And when the goalie dove to his left, the former Watford defender fired his shot down the center and beneath the knees of Ronwen Williams, the South Africa shootout hero in the quarterfinal victory against Cape Verde.

Ademola Lookman had a chance to win it for Nigeria but hesitated when trying to round Williams, enabling the keeper to dive at his feet to grab the ball. Evidence Makgopa had fluked a skimming shot just wide for South Africa.

After a quick counterattack, Osimhen believed he had secured the win with five minutes left in regular time. He quickly ran towards the Nigerian supporters and turned home Bright Osayi-Samuel’s low cross, but the jubilation was short-lived.

Referee Amin Omar of Egypt swiftly disregarded Osimhen’s strike and, in yet another dramatic turn of events at this incredible tournament, pointed to the spot at the other end for a prior foul on Tau by Alhassan Yusuf. The players from South Africa were already protesting before the Egyptian was instructed to go to the camera by the video assistant referee.

Though Khuliso Mudau only managed to score in the final six minutes of extra time when Nwabali parried Mokoena’s free kick into his path, South Africa should have won it anyway, as Mokoena maintained his composure to convert the penalty and deprive Nigeria five straight clean sheets.