Nigeria vs South Africa: ‘Blood of Jesus’ trends as Super Eagles overcome South Africa to book AFCON 2023 final spot

As the Super Eagles did battle on the pitch against South Africa, Nigerians on social media took things to the spiritual realm to will their team into the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final after a tense penalty shootout. 

The steadfastness of the prayers from the Nigerian faithful caused the phrase “blood of Jesus” to trend on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter as the Super Eagles put their fans through an emotional rollercoaster.  

In an emotionally charged AFCON 2023 semifinal clash, Nigeria secured their spot in the final after a tense penalty shootout against South Africa. The match saw Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali emerging as the hero, making crucial saves to propel Nigeria to victory. 

Nwabali's heroics included denying Mokoena's penalty and saving another from Evidence Makgopa, setting the stage for substitute Kelechi Iheanacho to step up and confidently dispatch the final penalty kick, securing Nigeria's place in the AFCON final for the first time since 2013. 

Some of the best tweets about pleading the blood of Jesus came from Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface, who claimed that he had used up his entire “Blood of Jesus” deposit for the year on the Super Eagles’ penalty shootout, while other people richly doused goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali in prayers. 

The prayers worked as Nigeria earned a hard fought victory on penalties against South Africa, with Nwabali saving two spot kicks to help the Super Eagles reach the final. 

Nigeria will now play hosts Ivory Coast in the 2023 AFCON final on Sunday February 11th as they look to claim a fourth title.