Super Eagles defender, Ola Aina has spoken on his penalty shootout miss against South Africa in the semi-final of the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.
The match between the AFCON champions had ended in a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes. Nigeria defeated Bafana Bafana of South Africa 4-2 through penalty shootout on Wednesday night to qualify for the finals.
Aina missed his spot-kick during the shootout as the Nottingham Forest player kicked the ball over the bar. However, Stanley Nwabali made two saves to ensure Jose Peseiro’s men qualified for the final.
The likes of Terem Moffi, Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong and kelechi iIheanacho all scored their penalties. The Super Eagles will now face Ivory Coast in the AFCON final on Sunday.
Reacting, the former Chelsea player, in a video posted on social media after the game said; “These boys saved me today. I don’t care.”
Watch video:
Meanwhile, in related news…
Super Eagles forward, Victor Boniface has reacted to Nigeria’s win over South Africa in the semi-final match in Ivory Coast.
Goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali was the hero of the match as he saved two penalty kicks, earning the three time AFCON champions a win.
Boniface, who could not participate in the 2023 AFCON due to a hamstringinjury, stated that in light of the victory, it will be difficult getting a South African visa at this point.
The 23-year-old Bayer Leverkusen star who commented via Twitter, also said that being a Nigerian is a thing of pride and the country is ‘sweet’
He wrote; “To be NIGERIAN…You no no Wetinx God do for you. This country so sweet. To get South Africa Visa go hard die now”.
