A spectacle of heartbreak and exhilaration unfolded as Bafana Bafana were eliminated from the AFCON 2023 after losing on penalties against a formidable foe in Nigeria.
AFCON 2023: Bafana Bafana lose on penalties against Nigeria
The much-anticipated showdown between South Africa and Nigeria, two titans of African football, delivered an adrenaline-fueled narrative that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Nigeria, with their imposing track record, initially seemed poised to maintain dominance as skipper William Troost-Ekong broke the deadlock in the 67th minute, sending Nigerian fans into a frenzy.
The match’s trajectory took a dramatic turn when the Super Eagles’ late goal was nullified by VAR, a twist that breathed new life into the South African squad.
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Seizing the moment, Bafana Bafana levelled the scores in the dying minutes of regulation time, thanks to a stroke of tactical brilliance that saw them exploiting their opponent’s brief lapse.
The extension of the match into extra time saw both teams exchanging blows, akin to two heavyweights unwilling to concede defeat.
The drama intensified when Grant Kekana, in a moment of self-sacrifice, was shown red for a tackle on Terem Moffi, leaving South Africa a man down.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Bafana Bafana held their ground, pushing the game to the ultimate test of nerves: penalties.
In a nail-biting shootout, Nigeria emerged victorious, setting the stage for a final showdown against either Ivory Coast or DR Congo.
What’s next for South Africa?
Unlike teams that crashed out before them, Bafana Bafana will not be prepping for a sombre homecoming just yet.
The South African national team will play for a third-place spot against the losing team in the Ivory Coast vs DR Congo match, which was yet to kick off when this article was published.
The third-place fixture takes place on Saturday, 10 February 2024, with kick-off slated for 22:00 CAT.
