Afrigather Two of the continent’s heavyweight groups go head-to-head within the first semi-final, vying for a spot in Sunday’s showpiece occasion
Nigeria and South Africa face off in a repeat of the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final on Wednesday, with the Tremendous Eagles seeking to replicate the outcome which noticed them attain the ultimate.
That was Bafana Bafana’s third look at that stage, and it has taken them 24 years to achieve this stage at Afcon.
How will the semi-final between the Tremendous Eagles and Bafana Bafana finish? #AFCON2023
— Shina Oludare 🇳🇬 (@sportingshina) February 7, 2024
Nigeria have received all three of the video games between these sides within the competitors’s historical past, however this one seems to be like being a extremely aggressive affair with South Africa having the potential to guide their place in Sunday’s showpiece due to their spectacular shows thus far.
Recreation Nigeria vs South Africa
Date Wednesday, February 7
Time 6:00 pm
TV Channel, Reside Stream & How To Watch
For Soccernet.ng readers in Nigeria, they’ll watch that showdown on SuperSports, NTA and Afro Sports activities.
Squads & Group Information
NIGERIA
After an belly discomfort scare, Nigeria dangerman Victor Osimhen has been declared match and out there for his group’s onslaught towards South Africa.
This information comes as an enormous increase for the West Africans because the Napoli dangerman is likely one of the star figures for Jose Peseiro’s males.
Nigeria squad: Olorunleke Ojo, Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho, Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi, Chidozie Awaziem, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi, Shiny Osayi-Samuel, Ola Aina, Zaidu Sanusi, Alhassan Yusuf, Raphael Onyedika, Joe Aribo, Frank Onyeka, Moses Simon, Ahmed Musa, Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Terem Moffi, Ademola Lookman, Paul Onuachu
SOUTH AFRICA
Thapelo Maseko will play no half when Bafana Bafana sq. up towards Nigeria in Bouake.
The Mamelodi Sundowns star pulled his hamstring muscle within the quarter-final conflict with Cape Verde.
South Africa squad: Ronwen Williams, Veli Mothwa, Ricardo Goss, Sydney Mobbie, Grant Kekana, Terence Mashego, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba, Siyanda Xulu, Mothobi Mvala, Khuliso Mudau, Teboho Mokoena Siphephelo Sithole, Jayden Adams, Thabang Monare, Thapelo Maseko, Thapelo Morena, Themba Zwane, Zakhele Lepasa, Oswin Appollis, Mihlali Mayambela, Percy Tau, Proof Makgopa
MATCH PREVIEW
Nigeria have appeared in commanding type at instances throughout this match, coming by the group stage with two wins and one objective conceded earlier than seeing off Cameroon and Angola within the knockout section.
Ademola Lookman has been one of many Tremendous Eagles’ star males in Cote d’Ivoire due to his three-goal haul thus far in 5 matches.
Except for the Atalanta man, Jose Peseiro have a formidable core of skilled gamers within the likes of William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon.
“It will be recreation between two good groups. Myself and my teammates are prepared for this problem,” Aina advised the media.
Nigeria’s squad is stacked with attacking expertise however they stuttered through the group stage, settling for a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea.
They stepped up within the knockout stage, popping out on high of an entertaining recreation to beat Cameroon 2-0 earlier than a slim 1-0 victory over Angola within the quarter-finals.
South Africa have stored 4 consecutive clear sheets on the Africa Cup of Nations for the primary time (W2 D2), whereas it’s as many as they’d recorded of their earlier 21 matches within the competitors mixed.
Nonetheless, goalkeeper Ronwen Williams expects a tricky encounter towards the three-time African kings.
“The attackers and midfielders have performed properly however the again 4 has been superb all through the match,” he stated.
“We all know will probably be a really robust recreation towards Nigeria however we’re wanting ahead to it.”
South Africa have had six photographs following a excessive turnover at Afcon 2023; solely Egypt have had extra (seven), whereas solely Morocco (9) have had extra direct assaults than Bafana Bafana (eight) within the competitors this yr.
