Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze is optimistic that the Super Eagles will defeat South Africa without going to penalties.
Chukwueze made the remark while also disputing the idea that South African custodian Ronwen Williams is a penalty-saving specialist.
Ronwen became the first goalkeeper in AFCON history to save four penalty kicks in South Africa’s penalty shootout victory over Cape Verde, and he has four clean sheets this tournament, the joint-most, but Chukwueze believes the Super Eagles will win in regular time.
“Penalty is a game of luck; anybody can miss. It is the one he [Williams] saw that he saved,” Chukwueze told Hot Sport’s Toyin Ibitoye.
“I’m not saying he is not a good goalkeeper; he is actually a good goalkeeper, but the most important thing is for us to win in 90 minutes or 120 minutes. We will win without going into penalties.
“It is not about being scared; it is about being on the safer side at the moment. We have been watching their clips; they are good on their own, but we will try our best and win.”
The Super Eagles will lock horns with rivals South Africa in the first semi-final of the competition on Wednesday in Bouake for a place in Sunday’s final.
