October 6, 2024
The biggest semi-final fixture at the ongoing 2023 AFCON is set to be a blockbuster clash between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa by 6 p.m on Wednesday, February 7th at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire.
Given that the two nations have four AFCON trophies between them, this match is predicted to rekindle their rivalry across all industries. Nigeria has won three times, whereas South Africa has only triumphed once, in 1996. The winner will acquire immense bragging rights and get one step closer to winning the AFCON trophy.
Nigeria started their AFCON 2023 with an unconvincing 1-1 against Equatorial Guinea before grinding out 1-0 victories over host Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau to secure a round-of-16 clash with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
Ademola Lookman’s brace, however, dumped Rigobert Song’s side out of the tournament before the Super Eagles defeated an explosive Angola 1-0 to secure their spot in the semi-finals, all while conceding just a goal.
South Africa on the other hand has conceded twice, following a 2-0 loss to Mali, a 4-0 win over Namibia and a final goalless draw against Tunisia to wrap up their group stage fixtures.
The Hugo Broos’s side defeated highly rated Morocco 2-0 in the round of 16 fixtures, before an end-to-end quarter-final clash against Cape Verde saw them eliminate the West African country in a penalty shootout, with Ronwen Williams stealing the headlines for saving four penalties.
Meanwhile, in recent times, the Super Eagles have asserted their dominance over Bafana Bafana, securing seven wins and two draws in their last 14 meetings, while South Africa has only won two, as reported by The Standard.
Following the confirmation a few hours ago that questionable Osimhen has connected with the rest of the squad in Bouaké, Jose Peseiro will be fielding a full squad for this match.
*Super Eagles Camp Update*
Victor Osimhen has been declared fit and available for selection in the semi-final clash against South Africa on Wednesday. He has joined the team in Bouaké and has trained with the squad today.#SoarSuperEagles #letsdoitagain pic.twitter.com/3LfnAWz1zM— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) February 6, 2024
South Africa on the other hand will miss the services of Thapelo Maseko who sustained a hamstring injury against Cape Verde.
Thapelo Maseko has been ruled out of AFCON due to injury and won't be replaced, Hugo Broos confirmed.
"There's visa [issues] and the flight. If we should replace him, the player will only arrive Thursday, or worst case Friday."#AFCON2023 | @BafanaBafana pic.twitter.com/jlN0iyTzpx
— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) February 6, 2024
Come 6 pm tomorrow at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, it’s going to be a battle between the two best defences in Côte d’Ivoire so far, with the most clinical side tipped to make the finals.
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