The highly anticipated AFCON 2023-2024 Trophy of Nation Tournament commenced on Wenesday 7th February 2024 with alot of enthusiasm from both teams as the Funs jeers up their respective national teams at the stade Bouke in Ivory Coast.
Both National teams has competed with each other inrecent years at the AFCON qualifications four times and thus : 10th July 2019,17November 2018,10 Jun 2017 and 19th November 14 respectively.
The First half of the first semi-final match initially ended in a goaless draws with both professional Coaches exhibiting much quality.
However, Nigeria incredibly broke the hardlock of the game at the 67th minute by converting a penalty shootout which of initially scored by W.Troast Ekong(Defender).
Meanwhile, as the Match proceeded in to the 90th minute mark in the secondhalf, SouthAfrica’s T.Mokoena (Midfielder) also scored a Penalty to qualize.
The tough semi final match proceeded to the Extratime as both teams displayed good possession football tactically with southAfrica dorminating the play.
Current African Best player Victor Osimhen, M.Simon, and A.Lookman who are pioneers of the attacking forward of the team proved their qualities.
However,E.Makgopa,T.Zwane and T.Mokoena also very important players who led the attack for the SouthAfrican team proved their tacticality on the pitch of play.
Incredibly at the end of penalty shootout Nigeria Captivatingly progressed to the Finals of the AFCON as they won four(4) - Two(2) against southAfrica.
STATS SAMMARY:
NIGERIA:
shots - 14
shot on target - 6
passes - 382
possession - 39%
SOUTHAFRICA:
Shots - 14
Shot on target - 5
Passes - 616
Possession - 61%
COACHES:
NIGERIA:
Rassie Erasmus
SOUTHAFRICA:
Jose Peseiro
MATCH OFFICIATERS:
REFEREE :
Amin Omar
1st Assistant Referee:
Mahmoud Abouelregal
2nd Assistant Referee:
Ahmed Ibrahim.
