Substitute forward Kelechi Iheanacho and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali were important in Nigeria’s 4-2 penalty shootout victory over South Africa in an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final. The three-time champions will face hosts Ivory Coast in the final, after dominating the Democratic Republic of Congo but only managing a 1-0 victory in Abidjan.
Iheanacho, who plays for English second-tier club Leicester City, was an unused substitute in the Super Eagles’ five group and knockout matches that led to their semi-final appearance. He was called into action for the first time by Portuguese Peseiro after 102 minutes against South Africa, and he calmly converted the winning penalty kick. Nwabali, who plays for South African top flight side Chippa United, saved Teboho Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa’s shootout attempts. Peseiro, a long-time supporter of under-fire incumbent shot-stopper Francis Uzoho, benched him for the first group encounter against Equatorial Guinea, and Nwabali has been a constant presence.