AFCON 2023: Nwabali claims Player of the Match after goalkeeping heroics vs South Africa

By Saheed Afolabi

Nigeria goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali stood tall to win the Man-of-the-Match (MOTM) award in the 2023 Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) semifinal clash against South Africa on Wednesday.

The Super Eagles shotstopper made series of saves in the regulation time before his heroics in the penalty shootout sealed an AFCON final spot for the West African giants.

Nigeria broke the deadlock from the spot their captain, William Troost-Ekong in the second half after Victor Osimhen was brought down in the 18-yard box.

A bizarre moment saw Osimhen goal cancelled and a penalty awarded for the Banana Bafana following a silly tackle from Alhassan Yusuf which brought both sides on level terms.

The 30 minutes extra time saw the Eagles best chance falling on the path of Terem Moffi but chose to falloff a tackle instead of taking a shot at goal.

An architecture of brilliance saw Nwabali saving two spot kicks to ensure the Super Eagles reaches the AFCON final after 11 years.