Kelechi Iheanacho was Nigeria's match-winner on Wednesday night, netting the decisive penalty to put the Super Eagles into the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Final.
- Nigeria beat South Africa on penalties in Africa Cup of Nations
- Kelechi Iheanacho was a late substitute on Wednesday evening
- The City striker scored the winning penalty to put the Super Eagles through to the final
Introduced into the game during extra-time, it was Iheanacho who stepped up to convert Nigeria's winning penalty in the shootout to dispatch South Africa, confirming his country's spot in Sunday's final.
There was little to separate the two sides until the hour-mark, when William Troost-Ekong scored from 12 yards to put Nigeria in front. Napoli striker Victor Osimhen thought he'd made it 2-0 later on, before VAR ruled out the centre-forwards' goal.
Given a lifeline, South Africa kept the pressure on and found their way back into the game with a penalty of their own in the 90th minute. Teboho Mokoena made no mistake from the spot, sending the game to extra-time.
With over 100 minutes on the clock, the Leicester forward was brought on for his first appearance in this year's tournament, in a double change with Joe Aribo, but the Fox didn't need long on the field to make an impact.
Called up to take the fifth and final penalty for the Super Eagles, who were already 3-2 up in the shootout, Iheanacho was composed from the spot, sending the ball to the goalkeeper's left, clipping the post on the way in before wheeling off in celebration.
Nigeria will now regroup and prepare for the AFCON Final, on Sunday evening (8pm GMT kick-off) where they will face either Ivory Coast or DR Congo at Stade Alassane Ouattara for the chance of international glory.
