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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bafana Bafana are still without a victory against Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) following a semifinal clash that ended 1-1 after 120 minutes before the Super Eagles vanquished the South Africans 4-2 on penalties to advance to the final in Ivory Coast. </span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2045533\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/B24BGGB3828.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"435\" /> <em>Hugo Broos, head coach of South Africa, shows his disappointment during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal penalty shootout against Nigeria at Peace Stadium in Bouake, Ivory Coast on 7 February 2024. (Gavin Barker / BackpagePix)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nigeria had lost five of their previous six Afcon semifinals, but survived some nervous moments to book a place in Sunday’s decider against either hosts Ivory Coast or Democratic Republic of the Congo, who were still playing in the second semifinal at the time of publishing.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During an enthralling encounter resembling the famous </span><a href=\"https://www.thefightcity.com/the-thrilla-in-manila-muhammad-ali-joe-frazier-ali-vs-frazier-george-foreman-boxing-history/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thrilla in Manila</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> fight between boxing greats Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, South Africa and Nigeria went blow-for-blow.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On paper, South Africa opted for a defensive approach, with Hugo Broos electing to play a three-man defence, putting Siyanda Xulu in for Thapelo Morena.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite that approach, the South Africans dominated large chunks of the game, utilising their ball possession to create chances. However, they could not convert these as they lacked the crucial final touch.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Nigerians were no slouches either. Their lethal attack, led by African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen and bolstered by Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon, demanded that South Africa’s defence stay alert.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2045536\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/B24BGLD7741.jpg\" alt=\"bafana nigeria afcon\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" /> <em>Victor Osimhen of Nigeria (right) challenges Mothobi Mvala of South Africa during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal. (Photo: Djaffar Ladjal / BackpagePix)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The deadlock was broken in the 67th minute after Mothobi Mvala — who has been one of South Africa’s best players at this Afcon — fouled Osimhen in the box.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Egyptian referee Amin Mohamed Omar pointed to the penalty spot and Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong blasted the ball past Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and penalty-saving specialist Ronwen Williams.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2045531\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/B24BGWM1489.jpg\" alt=\"bafana nigeria afcon\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" /> <em>William Troost-Ekong of Nigeria celebrates a goal during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal against South Africa at Peace Stadium in Bouake, Ivory Coast. (Photo: Weam Mostafa / BackpagePix)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2045532\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/B24BGGB2743.jpg\" alt=\"bafana nigeria afcon\" width=\"720\" height=\"536\" /> <em>William Troost-Ekong of Nigeria celebrates a goal during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal against South Africa. (Gavin Barker / BackpagePix)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then, just when the Super Eagles thought they had killed off the game with an Osimhen tap-in in the 86th minute, the video assistant referee (VAR) brought play back.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following a television review by on-field referee Omar, the script was flipped. 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The Mamelodi Sundowns fullback skied the ball after Nigerian keeper Stanley Nwabali, who is based in South Africa, spilt a venomous Mokoena shot.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The game went into extra time and while both teams had chances to score, they appeared lethargic.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then it was down to penalties, which Nigeria won 4-2 after Mokoena and striker Evidence Makgopa fluffed their attempts.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nigeria now have a chance to claim a fourth African title, adding to those they claimed in 1980, 1994 and 2013.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As for Bafana, they have an opportunity to clinch a consolatory bronze medal in Saturday’s “best loser” match. </span><b>DM</b>",
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"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bafana Bafana are still without a victory against Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) following a semifinal clash that ended 1-1 after 120 minutes before the Super Eagles vanquished the South Africans 4-2 on penalties to advance to the final in Ivory Coast. </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2045533\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2045533\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/B24BGGB3828.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"435\" /> <em>Hugo Broos, head coach of South Africa, shows his disappointment during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal penalty shootout against Nigeria at Peace Stadium in Bouake, Ivory Coast on 7 February 2024. (Gavin Barker / BackpagePix)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nigeria had lost five of their previous six Afcon semifinals, but survived some nervous moments to book a place in Sunday’s decider against either hosts Ivory Coast or Democratic Republic of the Congo, who were still playing in the second semifinal at the time of publishing.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During an enthralling encounter resembling the famous </span><a href=\"https://www.thefightcity.com/the-thrilla-in-manila-muhammad-ali-joe-frazier-ali-vs-frazier-george-foreman-boxing-history/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thrilla in Manila</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> fight between boxing greats Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, South Africa and Nigeria went blow-for-blow.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On paper, South Africa opted for a defensive approach, with Hugo Broos electing to play a three-man defence, putting Siyanda Xulu in for Thapelo Morena.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite that approach, the South Africans dominated large chunks of the game, utilising their ball possession to create chances. 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(Photo: Djaffar Ladjal / BackpagePix)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The deadlock was broken in the 67th minute after Mothobi Mvala — who has been one of South Africa’s best players at this Afcon — fouled Osimhen in the box.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Egyptian referee Amin Mohamed Omar pointed to the penalty spot and Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong blasted the ball past Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and penalty-saving specialist Ronwen Williams.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2045531\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2045531\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/B24BGWM1489.jpg\" alt=\"bafana nigeria afcon\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" /> <em>William Troost-Ekong of Nigeria celebrates a goal during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal against South Africa at Peace Stadium in Bouake, Ivory Coast. (Photo: Weam Mostafa / BackpagePix)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2045532\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2045532\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/B24BGGB2743.jpg\" alt=\"bafana nigeria afcon\" width=\"720\" height=\"536\" /> <em>William Troost-Ekong of Nigeria celebrates a goal during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal against South Africa. (Gavin Barker / BackpagePix)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then, just when the Super Eagles thought they had killed off the game with an Osimhen tap-in in the 86th minute, the video assistant referee (VAR) brought play back.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following a television review by on-field referee Omar, the script was flipped. 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Hugo Broos, head coach of South Africa, shows his disappointment during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal penalty shootout against Nigeria at Peace Stadium in Bouake, Ivory Coast on 7 February 2024. (Gavin Barker / BackpagePix)
Victor Osimhen of Nigeria (right) challenges Mothobi Mvala of South Africa during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal. (Photo: Djaffar Ladjal / BackpagePix)
William Troost-Ekong of Nigeria celebrates a goal during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal against South Africa at Peace Stadium in Bouake, Ivory Coast. (Photo: Weam Mostafa / BackpagePix)
William Troost-Ekong of Nigeria celebrates a goal during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal against South Africa. (Gavin Barker / BackpagePix)