AFCON 2019: NIGERIA SCORE LAST-MINUTE WINNER TO REACH SEMI-FINALS
William Troost-Ekong scored a
dramatic late winner to send Nigeria into the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final
at the expense of South Africa.
Samuel Chukwueze hit the opener as he controlled Alex Iwobi’s
cross, before scoring at the second attempt.
Bongani Zungu equalised with a header initially ruled out for
offside before VAR replays showed a free-kick hit a Nigerian player on the way
to him.
But Udinese’s Troost-Ekong bundled home from close range late
on to win it.
His finish was into an empty net after goalkeeper Ronwen
Williams totally missed Moses Simon’s corner.
Nigeria face Ivory Coast or Algeria in Sunday’s second
semi-final (20:00 BST).
The Super Eagles were deserved winners and led through
Villarreal youngster Chukwueze’s first goal for his country. They should have
been ahead by more when Williams pushed Peter Etebo’s free-kick onto the bar.
Zungu’s goal was the first in the Africa Cup of Nations given
by the VAR, which has just been introduced for the quarter-finals. It looked
offside initially but Percy Tau’s free-kick hit Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo on the
way on to Amiens midfielder Zungu’s head.
The game looked set for extra time before Williams flapped at
a cross to leave Troost-Ekong with a simple finish.
Senegal, who beat Benin 1-0 earlier on Wednesday, play either
Madagascar or Tunisia in the other semi-final.
Credit: Ghanaweb
