Kelechi Iheanacho led Nigeria’s wild celebrations as the country qualified for its first Africa Cup of Nations final since 2013.
In a match full of controversy, Nigeria needed penalties to beat South Africa, with the Leicester striker scoring the decisive penalty to send his side through to Sunday’s final.
William Troost-Ekong gave his side the lead from the penalty spot in the 67th minute of what was a thrilling match, with South Africa looking to continue their fairytale run until the final match.
Victor Osimhen then thought he had sealed the victory in the 90th minute when he tapped in from close range and drove away in celebration, only for the Napoli striker to be denied.
The referee brought the game back and, with VAR intervention, awarded South Africa their own penalty, which Teboho Mokoena slotted in to take the match into stoppage time.
Kelechi Iheanacho led the celebrations as Nigeria defeated South Africa on penalties in AFCON
The goal meant they qualified for their first final in the competition since 2013, where they faced hosts Ivory Coast
The team took a group photo at full-time as their despair from earlier in the match turned to joy
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Despite South Africa’s Grant Kekana being sent off late in the extra half hour, the underdogs held firm and took the match with pinpoint kicks.
However, Mokoena was one of two players to miss his penalty in the shoot-out, and South African goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams could not repeat his heroics after his side’s quarter-final victory over Cape Verde.
The result was the final twist in what was a semi-final that appeared to be over in normal time when Osimhen scored what he claimed was his second goal of the tournament.
When play stopped and the striker and some of his teammates were still celebrating, VAR ruled that Joe Aribo had fouled Mokoena in the penalty area at the other end of the pitch.
Iheanacho took the winning kick after his side thought they were 2-0 up in normal time
Nigeria must recover from Wednesday’s events to get ready for Sunday’s final
But just over half an hour later, desperation again turned to celebration, with Iheanacho leading the way as South Africa players fell to the ground in fear.
The 27-year-old ripped off his shirt and drove off to get the party started. He was chased by his teammates, who will meet hosts Ivory Coast in the final.