The Super Eagles of Nigeria are one win away from the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and next up on their path is South Africa.
The semi-final between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana will be played at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake on Wednesday, February 6.
Here is a preview of the game and what to expect from both teams in what has been tagged the Amapiano Derby.
NIGERIA V SOUTH AFRICA PREVIEW
The Super Eagles come into this fixture off the back of a hard-fought 1-0 quarter-final victory against Angola thanks to Ademola Lookman\’s late first ha;f strike.
The result was Nigeria\’s third 1-0 win in five games at AFCON 2023 as the Super Eagles continue to build a reputation for being resolute defensively.
South Africa on the other hand navigated the quarter-finals in dramatic fashion, beating Cape Verde on penalties with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams saving four kicks.
Bafana also boast a solid defence with four clean sheets from five games, tied with Nigeria although they have conceded one more goal than the Super Eagles.
PLAYERS TO WATCH- For the Super Eagles, defence has been the key with the likes of William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Ola Aina excelling.
In attack, Ademola Lookman has carried the load with three goals in the tournament so far, exactly half of Nigeria\’s AFCON 2023 total.
If any of the three players, Simon, Ola Aina, or Calvin Bassey are booked on Wednesday, Nigeria will lose them to suspensions in finalso the Super Eagles still have to be careful.
Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, and Mothobi Mvala all risk missing South Africa\’s next match if they pick up a booking against Nigeria.
Nigeria could be without Victor Osimhen for this one though as the star striker is reportedly dealing with abdominal problems that could potentially keep him out on Wednesday.
NIGERIA V SOUTH AFRICA H2H
In their previous seven matches, Nigeria has only suffered one defeat to South Africa, with seven victories and four draws.
In South Africa\’s final AFCON semi-final appearances, back in 2000, the Super Eagles prevailed 2-0 as well as 2-1 in the 2019 edition\’s quarterfinals.