Given Nigeria’s football pedigree it is somewhat surprising that they have only won three AFCON titles — just the fourth-most — and have only won once since 1994 (in 2013). Why? Here’s a clue.

Wednesday was Nigeria’s 15th AFCON semi-final — more than any other team — yet their record at this stage is dire. They have only won one of their past six semi-final matches, including a heartbreaking defeat to Algeria in 2019, where Riyad Mahrez’s stoppage-time free kick sentenced Nigeria to a 2-1 defeat.

Several of the Nigerian squad are veterans of that day — and amidst the pressure of such a football-obsessed nation, these things linger.

Against South Africa, Nigeria faced a psychological challenge — they appeared nicely set at 2-0 up after Osimhen seemed to double their lead, before VAR’s intervention suddenly sent them back to 1-1. In extra time, the challenge was to regroup mentally as well as stylistically.

After Osimhen missed another chance in extra time, Nigeria had reason to continue doubting. But Williams could not repeat his goalkeeping heroics in the semi-final shootout — and Kelechi Iheanacho ended a long history of semi-final heartbreak.