Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro heaped plaudits on his players after they earned a place in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The West Africans defeated the Bafana Bafana of South Africa 4-2 on penalties in their semi-final contest at the Stade de la Paix, Bouake on Wednesday night.
William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead from the spot on 67 minutes.
South Africa also equalised from the spot three minutes from time through Teboho Mokoena.
Nigeria then prevailed in the shootout, scoring four out of five kicks.
“The players deserve to be in the final, it’s a very good victory against a good team,” Peseiro told reporters after the game.
“I said it earlier that South Africa have the best of organization because they play together and they created more problems for us. It was very difficult to beat them,” he said after the game.
The Super Eagles will face hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the final at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan, on Sunday.
