The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, has congratulated the Super Eagles for booking their spots in the final of 2023 the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote D’ivoire.
Idris send his congratulatory message via a post on his official X handle on Wednesday after Nigeria thrashed South Africa 4-2 on penalty shootout.
He wrote, “The government of Nigeria was behind you. The people of Nigeria believed in you. And you did not disappoint. A grateful nation says thank you!’
The Super Eagles secured a penalty after African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was brought down in the box by South Africa Mothobi Mvala.
Captain William Troost-Ekong smashed the ball beyond the reach of the goalkeeper Ronwen Williams putting Nigeria ahead in the 67th minute at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Cote D’ivoire.
Bafana Bafana responded with a 1-1 goal from the spot when Teboho Mokoena of South Africa played the penalty past Stanley Nwabili into the bottom left corner.
After playing out to a 1-1 draw after regulation time and the ensuing 30 minutes of extra time, it was Nigeria who came out on top 4-2 on penalties with Kelechi Iheanacho stroking home the decisive penalty to send the three-time champions into Sunday’s showpiece against either hosts Cote d’Ivoire or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are now through to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since winning the competition back in 2013 after battling through a pulsating penalty shootout in a thrilling semi-final encounter against South Africa..
