Iheanacho's winning penalty shot sends Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations final. They secured a 4-2 victory in the shootout against South Africa after the semi-final ended 1-1 in extra time.
According to Reuters, Nigeria faced challenges in their recent semi-final track record, losing five out of six matches in continental tournaments. Despite encountering some tense moments, they successfully secured a spot in Sunday's final.
William Troost-Ekong put Nigeria into the lead from the penalty spot midway through the second half, before South Africa earned a spot-kick of their own in the final minute of the 90 and it was converted by Teboho Mokoena, said the news outlet.
South Africa lost defender Grant Kekana to a red card in extra time as Nigeria put them under constant pressure, and then lost their nerve too in the shootout as Nwabali saved from Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa.
The Associated Press reported Nigeria counterpart Stanley Nwabali made two penalty saves to deny the Bafana Bafana a place in the final - diving to the bottom left corner to thwart Teboho Mokoena, then Evidence Makgopa's centrally placed effort.
Victor Osimhen from Nigeria doubled over in pain shortly after the start of the Bouaké game. He was able to resume playing after taking a short break.
The first real opportunity came from Percy Tau, whose shot went straight to Nwabali. Subsequently, Nwabali had to come out of the goal to catch the ball when Tau made a breakthrough and made an impressive save to block Makgopa's shot from the top corner.
South Africa dominated possession and created more chances in the first half.
Nigeria got its break midway through the second half when Mothobi Mvala conceded a penalty for a foul on Osimhen.
The opponent for the final will be decided based on the outcome of the match between hosts Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo, scheduled for later on Wednesday.
