Captain William Troost-Ekong was the goalscorer from the penalty spot while Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning penalty as goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved twice in the shoot-out to set Nigeria on the road to her eighth AFCON final
Osimhen was doubtful a day to the encounter but the striker recovered to lead the line expertly, while Bright Osayi-Samuel deputized for injured Zaidu Sanusi.
South Africa had more of the possession early on and fashioned the first real opportunity through Sphephelo Sithole who shot straight at Nwabali from distance following a mistake in defence, and the 27 years old saved again from Percy Tau.
The South Africans continued to probe but the Super Eagles had the next chance when Alex Iwobi also shot straight at Ronwen Williams before Evidence Makgopa drew a sprawling save from Nwabali who clawed a curler away from goal. Osimhen then headed wide from a corner kick as both sides went into the interval all square.
Nigeria came out with more purpose in the second half and Osimhen singlehandedly took on three defenders to win a penalty off Mvala’s mistimed tackle in the box. Coming up against Ronwen Williams who had saved four penalties in their quarter-final victory, Troost-Ekong stepped up to slot the ball onto the net for a 1-0 lead on 67 minutes. The Bafana Bafana almost provided an immediate response through Makgopa’s drilled shot that went inches wide of the far post.
Osimhen thought he has sealed Nigeria’s win with the second goal of the game at the back post but VAR cancelled the goal after a review and gave South Africa a penalty for Yusuf’s foul in the box. Tebohong Mokoena sent Nwabali the wrong way to square the match. There was still chance for both sides to win it at the death but Khuliso Mudau blazed wide from a rebound while Samuel Chukwueze did same at the other end as the match went into extra-time.
Nigeria then created the two chances in first half extra-time with Lookman’s stinger headed for the far post and Osimhen’s bullet low shot both saved by Williams.
Grant Kekana stopped substitute Terrem Moffi in his stride and earned himself a red card but Iheanacho could not convert and the match went into penalties.
Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning kick after Nwabali had saved two penalties to win 4-2 on penalties.
Nigeria will play the winner of the match between hosts Ivory Coast and DR Congo on Sunday
Quadri first defeated Salifou Abdel-Kaden of Benin 3-0 in Group 2, securing his spot in the knockout stage with a dominant performance.
In the Round of 16, Quadri continued his strong form, defeating Mohamed Khaloufi of Tunisia 4-0. His clinical performance helped him progress further in the tournament.
Next, Quadri will face Oba Oba Kizito of Côte d’Ivoire in the quarterfinals. The match will take place on Thursday at the Palais des Sports d’el Menzah. (NAN)
Haaland had missed City’s Champions League play-off second leg exit against Real Madrid and the Premier League defeat to Liverpool with a knee injury suffered against Newcastle on February 15.
The Norway star marked his return with the first half winner in north London as City climbed one point above Chelsea, who had gone fourth after their win over Southampton on Tuesday.
It was Haaland’s 28th goal in all competitions this season, with 10 of those coming in his last 11 games to silence the critics after a barren spell earlier this season.
After four defeats in their last six games in all competitions, this was a much-needed victory for City, who started strongly but rode their luck as Tottenham missed a series of second half chances.
Pep Guardiola’s side are still a million miles away from the team that powered to four successive league titles prior to this season.
But Guardiola will take encouragement from the way they ground out a gritty success at a time when so little is going right for them.
Tottenham’s run of two consecutive wins came to an end, maintaining the inconsistency that has hampered them for a much of a turbulent campaign.
Ange Postecoglou’s team are languishing in 13th place, with next week’s Europa League last 16 first leg against AZ Alkmaar the club’s sole focus to salvage the season.
Second youngest line-up
Haaland shot straight at Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario in the opening minutes as City made a vibrant start.
He wasn’t to be denied for long as City took the lead in the 12th minute.
Jeremy Doku’s surge into the area opened up the Tottenham defence, with the Belgian’s cross put on a plate for the unmarked City striker to finish from six yards.
Doku threatened to double City’s advantage as he cut inside for a low strike that forced a good stop from Vicario.
Ravaged by injuries, Tottenham named their second youngest ever starting line-up in a Premier League match at an average age of 23 years 243 days.
Postecoglou’s youngsters found it impossible to stop City finding holes in their defence time and again.
Doku picked out Savinho five yards from goal but the Brazilian’s scuffed shot flew over when it seemed impossible to miss.
Haaland wasted a golden opportunity with a close-range strike that Vicario saved with his legs.
Tottenham nearly snatched an equaliser against the run of play just before half-time as Kevin Danso’s header was tipped over by Ederson.
City were exposed again early in the second half as Brennan Johnson’s teasing cross reached Wilson Odobert at the far post, but the forward poked wide from four yards.
Ederson had to scramble across goal to palm away Odobert’s deflected effort before it could loop into the net.
City had lost their way and Tottenham should have been level when Destiny Udogie found Mathys Tel in space, only for the teenager to shoot wastefully wide.
Postecoglou sent on Son Heung-min in the closing stages, but Ederson made a superb save to deny the South Korean before Pape Sarr headed over at the death as City held on.
AFP
The experienced tactician spoke during the pre-match press conference ahead of the club’s Sunday clash with Empoli.
Lookman, who scored 36 seconds after coming on as his team were losing 3-0 at home, failed to convert a penalty kick on 61 minutes. This attracted the ire of Gasperini who described the winger as “one of the worst penalty-takers” he has ever seen.
Lookman, who returned from injury to add more firepower to Atalanta’s attack in the UCL knockout playoff round the team eventually lost 3-1 to Club Brugge, fired back at his coach.
The 28-year-old said Gasperini’s words were “deeply disrespectful”.
The club hierarchy also weighed in afterward, and a meeting of both camps was reportedly called to clear the air.
At the press conference on Saturday, Gasperini said he did not mean to offend the former Charlton youngster.
The 66-year-old also said Lookman had an “extraordinary impact” and further revealed that he expected the free-scoring attacker to add penalty goals to his arsenal.
“The player [Lookman] felt offended, but I did not mean to offend anyone. Lookman came on in an extraordinary way against Brugge, his gesture, even if generous, doesn’t change what my idea is,” he said,
“I would have liked a strong player like him to have made a gesture towards De Ketelaere [the club’s assigned penalty taker] saying “come on, keep the ball, put it in.
“He can become a penalty taker, it would be an additional scoring ability.”
Gasperini, who has been the coach of Atalanta since 2016, added that he might quit the club at the end of the season or leave when his contract with the Bergamo club ends next year.
It is unclear if the Lookman incident weighed in on the Palermo legend’s decision.
“I don’t have much time left to do this; maybe this is the last chance. As has been said, there’s a beginning and an end,” he said.
“At the end of the year, we’ll see whether to let the contract run out or stop earlier, but there definitely won’t be any continuity. There will be no further renewals or extensions.”
