AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS
Bafana Bafana’s hoodoo against Nigeria at Afcon continues as Super Eagles dash SA dreams
South Africa’s hopes of reaching their first Africa Cup of Nations final since 1998 were snuffed by the Super Eagles of Nigeria who clinched a 4-2 penalty shootout victory to reach the final in Ivory Coast.
Bafana Bafana are still without a victory against Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) following a semifinal clash that ended 1-1 after 120 minutes before the Super Eagles vanquished the South Africans 4-2 on penalties to advance to the final in Ivory Coast.
Hugo Broos, head coach of South Africa, shows his disappointment during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal penalty shootout against Nigeria at Peace Stadium in Bouake, Ivory Coast on 7 February 2024. (Gavin Barker / BackpagePix)
Nigeria had lost five of their previous six Afcon semifinals, but survived some nervous moments to book a place in Sunday’s decider against either hosts Ivory Coast or Democratic Republic of the Congo, who were still playing in the second semifinal at the time of publishing.
During an enthralling encounter resembling the famous Thrilla in Manila fight between boxing greats Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, South Africa and Nigeria went blow-for-blow.
On paper, South Africa opted for a defensive approach, with Hugo Broos electing to play a three-man defence, putting Siyanda Xulu in for Thapelo Morena.
Despite that approach, the South Africans dominated large chunks of the game, utilising their ball possession to create chances. However, they could not convert these as they lacked the crucial final touch.
The Nigerians were no slouches either. Their lethal attack, led by African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen and bolstered by Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon, demanded that South Africa’s defence stay alert.
Victor Osimhen of Nigeria (right) challenges Mothobi Mvala of South Africa during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal. (Photo: Djaffar Ladjal / BackpagePix)
The deadlock was broken in the 67th minute after Mothobi Mvala — who has been one of South Africa’s best players at this Afcon — fouled Osimhen in the box.
Egyptian referee Amin Mohamed Omar pointed to the penalty spot and Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong blasted the ball past Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and penalty-saving specialist Ronwen Williams.
William Troost-Ekong of Nigeria celebrates a goal during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal against South Africa at Peace Stadium in Bouake, Ivory Coast. (Photo: Weam Mostafa / BackpagePix)
William Troost-Ekong of Nigeria celebrates a goal during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal against South Africa. (Gavin Barker / BackpagePix)
Then, just when the Super Eagles thought they had killed off the game with an Osimhen tap-in in the 86th minute, the video assistant referee (VAR) brought play back.
Following a television review by on-field referee Omar, the script was flipped. After his review, the Egyptian referee pointed to the spot for a foul on Percy Tau in the build-up to Nigeria’s counterattack.
Teboho Mokoena stepped up and did the job for Bafana Bafana, levelling the score.
Khuliso Mudau spurned a golden opportunity to win the game for Bafana Bafana in the dying moments. The Mamelodi Sundowns fullback skied the ball after Nigerian keeper Stanley Nwabali, who is based in South Africa, spilt a venomous Mokoena shot.
The game went into extra time and while both teams had chances to score, they appeared lethargic.
Then it was down to penalties, which Nigeria won 4-2 after Mokoena and striker Evidence Makgopa fluffed their attempts.
Nigeria now have a chance to claim a fourth African title, adding to those they claimed in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
As for Bafana, they have an opportunity to clinch a consolatory bronze medal in Saturday’s “best loser” match. DM
I must admit I am delighted that the Bafana has lost
They do not deserve to be in any competition untill politics is removed from all sport.This includes Rugby,cricket,netbal, and other sports where the anc has stuck it racial nose in.
When are we going to see african tennis players in wimbledon and golfers in the major tournaments and swimmers where there can be no racialism due to it being an individual sport
What are you on about? African tennis players in Wimbledon? Define African.
Black African and not US Afro American players from SA etc
A very confusing comment. Please clarify what you mean. Your assertion that there is no racism in individual sports is laughable.
There cannot be racism in individual sport
You are on your own to achieve your standard to be accepted as a golfer swimmer etc
Nonsense. The sports you mention are elite sports that cost a fortune to participate in at a high level and are therefore accessible to a tiny portion of SA’s population. Coaching, equipment, facilities, golf course fees, travel, accommodation, diet, dieticians, conditioning coaches … how many black people in SA do you think can afford those? Let alone the cost of competing internationally.
And individual sports still have clubs and associations whith committees. I can assure you they are rife with racism.
How many black SA swimmers, golfers, tennis players and other individual sports persons do you see competing internationally? Almost none. Do you think this is because the ANC is interfering in selection and promoting white sportspersons?
The interference comes from racism at club level. Administrators with entrenched prejudices and petty grievances.
That’s if there are even any black members of the club, given the prohibitive costs of participating in such sports.
So, perhaps our mighty Springboks should also hand back their World Cup winners’ medals – since rugby is one of the sports where the ANC has also stuck ‘its racial nose in’, and they obviously also don’t deserve to be in any competition, then?
I agree with this. I have been saying for many years rugby is a sport controlled by the minister and his corrupt government officials.
Well done to what was apparently a valiant effort by “our” team. The inverted commas are inserted to confirm that it can never be a truly South African side when not coached by a South African. Amazing how affirmative action seems a non-issue when it comes to who is ultimately in charge.
Bit unfair then that a ‘Nigerian’ side beat us. Four African sides in finals; four coaches from Europe. Let’s hope the Ivory Coast team wins. At least their coach’s parents were from the Ivory Coast and he played for the country.
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And just as well the Boks beat that ‘English’ side in the SF at the WC 2019. Not to mention the relief you must feel that the English-coached Irish, the NZ-coached Welsh and the Argentine-coached Italians all failed this time round. We can only pray that Eddie Jones doesn’t lead the Japanese to the WC in 2027.
Yes, there should be winners only from countries such as France, SA and NZ, who stick to their nationalistic principles and make in-house appointments only.
So the brilliant Irish rugby side of the past decade is not a TRUE Irish team, either, then – as they have been coached successively by a New Zealander and then and Englishman?
And it’s a good thing Rassie stuck with the Bokke too, since there were several international rugby teams that would have stopped being worthwhile to their nations, had they achieved their aim of hiring him as their head coach?
I must agree with you Barry.
I seem not to agree with Barry about Affirmative Action as there’s no interference from the team selection in sports, especially soccer. I hold the view that sports unify the country. Why was there no complaints or politics when SA won Webb Ellis trophy. It’s either you understand what you are writing about as not everything is political. FIFA could have suspended SA if there was government interference. Your comments are respected, but off the mark.
to be honest, I was very surprised bafana made it this far – very poor penalties in the 1/4’s. yes, some credit to Williams, but his saves looked better than they were. BUT, at least he made them, unlike Khuliso Mud who couldn’t keep his head and stear the ball into an open net to win the game with mere seconds left on the clock!