Super Eagles star Kelechi Iheanacho has revealed one thing he wishes he had done after scoring the decisive penalty in Nigeria’s 2023 AFCON semifinal clash against South Africa.
Iheabacho, who recently sealed his move to Sevilla, expressed a desire to have celebrated differently after scoring the winning penalty that took the Super Eagles to the final of the tournament.
The semifinal match against Bafana Bafana was incredibly tense. Nigeria’s second goal was disallowed due to a foul moments earlier, leading to a South African penalty that was successfully converted.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw after regulation time as both teams prepared for the penalty shootout.
Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerged the hero of the encounter, saving two penalty kicks before Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up to send Nigeria through by scoring the decisive penalty.
Kelechi Iheanacho reflects on AFCON 2023 semifinal
Reflecting on the event, Iheanacho, who celebrated by running around the pitch, expressed regret for not acknowledging Nwabali’s contributions.
“What a moment! I even forgot to hug the hero @nwabalibobo,” Iheanacho wrote on his account on X (formerly Twitter).
Despite the euphoria of the semifinal victory, the Super Eagles had an emotional end to their campaign, losing 2-1 to host nation Ivory Coast in the final after taking the lead via captain Troost Williams Ekong’s header, leaving the Super Eagles still in pursuit of their first continental crown since 2013.
