William Troost-Ekong scored twice from the penalty spot in Nigeria’s AFCON 2023 semi-final clash as the Super Eagles defeated the Bafana Bafana.
Several players with Nigerian roots have congratulated the Super Eagles after a hard fought win over South Africa in the AFCON 2023 semi-final, Soccernet.ng reports.
The team captain, William Troost-Ekong broke the deadlock in the second half after a foul on Victor Osimhen by Teboho Mokoena led to a penalty for Jose Peseiro’s men.
Ekong buried the penalty with vim, before Mokoena scored at the other end after a foul by Nigeria’s Alhassan Yusuf led to a penalty for Hugo Broos’s men.
Stanley Nwabali was the hero in the penalty shoot-out as Nigeria scored four out of their five spot kicks. The Chippa United goalkeeper etched his name into the history books as he saved two spot kicks to send Nigeria to the final.
The win saw a cathartic outpoor of emotions from fans, and this time, even foreign based players with Nigerian roots joined in the celebrations.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka posted on his instagram story as he cheered the Super Eagles on during the penalty shoot-out.
Former Liverpool and in-form Bournemouth striker, Dominic Solanke also joined in the celebrations. Former Chelsea players, Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham urged the Super Eagles to do one better and win the final against Ivory Coast.
Bukayo Saka, Fikayo Tomori, Dominic Solanke, Joshua Zirkzee all showing support to Nigeria from the diaspora 😂 pic.twitter.com/IGG674CGLh
— Series ‘Baj (@Engr_Series) February 7, 2024
On loan Bayern Munich striker, Joshua Zirkzee, who plays for the Netherlands but has a Nigerian mother also cheered on, alongside England U-23 international, Noni Madueke and Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji.
Nigeria will take on Ivory Coast in the final of the AFCON 2023 tournament on Sunday at the Stade Olympique Allasane Ouattara.
