BY COBHAM NSA – The wild celebrations and excitement were quite expected as William Troost-Ekong’s last minute goal powered Nigeria’s Super Eagles into the semi-finals of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
The Udinese of Italy’s defender back breaking strike came at the expense of Bafana Bafana as they Coach Stuart Baxter’s tutored side was done in by woeful defending after they had labored to level matters in the second half of the encounter.
Indeed, Troost-Ekong could not have wished for more as he enjoyed an AFCON night to remember with his winning goal for the Eagles’s 2-1 triumph over the stubborn South Africans.
The Italy-based defender’s decisive goal came in the final minute after VAR-assisted Bongani Zungu’s header had cancelled out Samuel Chukwueze’s first-half strike.
After being criticized for a below par performance that saw the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon getting two goals past keeper Daniel Akpeyi in their Round of 16 clash, the goal against Bafana Bafana proved a significant contribution from Troost-Ekong.
And he was all smiles with his second international goal which he dedicates to his first child Oscar.
A highly elated Super Eagles’ handler, Coach Gernot Rohr said at a media briefing after the pulsating encounter; “I am happy for Troost-Ekong, he dedicates his goal to his son Oscar and we are all happy for him.”
The victory means Nigeria can for now continue to relishing their dominance over Bafana Bafana and they will be up against the winner of the quarter-final fixture between the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire and Dessert Warriors of Algeria in the semi-final clash slated for Sunday in Cairo. – With agency reports
