Late goal takes Nigeria into Africa Cup semis

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Nigeria qualified Wednesday for the semifinals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), beating South Africa 2-1 with a late goal.

The team took the lead in the first half as winger Samuel Chukwueze put the ball into South Africa’s net in the quarterfinal match held in Cairo.

But South Africa scored the equalizer in the 71st minute with a header by midfielder Bongani Zungu.

Nigeria managed to bag the semifinal ticket, however, thanks to a late goal by center back William Ekong.

Playing for Italian club Udinese, Ekong made it 2-1 for Nigeria in the 89th minute, taking his team to the semis.

Nigeria will face Ivory Coast or Algeria in the AFCON semifinals on July 14.