After knocking Egypt, the hosts and favourites, out in the round of 16, South Africa’s Africa Cup of Nations was brought to an end thanks to a late Troost-Ekong goal despite battling back to level matter in the second half.
Nigeria took the lead through Samuel Chukwueze in the first half and looked the better team but a second half header from Zungu sent Bafana Bafana level. The goal was looked at by VAR, new to the competition since the start of the quarter-final, but the referee say it was fair.
With the game looking destined to go to extra-time, Troost-Ekong poked a corner home at the back post after goalkeeper, Williams, came out and missed with a haymaker to punch clear.
Nigeria are the second side in the semi-final after Senegal beat Benin earlier in the day.
Already, football enthusiasts have compared the present crop of Super Eagles players to the 1994 team that Clemens Westerhof tutored and nurtured. The boys fighting spirit and self belief is reminiscent of that glorious team.