The winner of the Nigeria vs South Africa clash will face the winner of the second semi-final between hosts Cote d’Ivoire and DR Congo

By Emmanuel Okogba

The semi-final clash between Nigeria and South Africa is the second time they will meet at this stage of the competition. Nigeria won 2-0 the first time they met at AFCON 2000.

Here Vanguard looks at some duels that this fixture has propped up.

Goalkeepers (Nwabali and Williams)

Both goalkeepers have put up great performances so far, having the best shut-out in the tournament. They both have not conceded in four out of the five games they have played. Williams, however, went a step further with his heroics in South Africa’s penalty shoot-out victory over Cape Verde, keeping out four of five kicks. Both goalies play in the South African PSL, so they must have a fair knowledge of each other. 90 minutes will decide who will have the bragging rights.

Osimhen vs Percy Tau

Although Victor Osimhen has scored just one goal, you cannot take away his relevance in the Super Eagles team. He has made himself a terror to opposition defenders, charging down every ball and making defenders commit errors, one of which translated to a goal against Cameroon. His very presence keeps defenders on their toes and takes attention away from the likes of Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon who can capitalise. 

Percy Tau has just one goal as well and is one of the starters in the side who plays outside of South Africa. The pacy forward missed a penalty in their opener against Mali but made up for it when he got another such opportunity against Namibia.

A goal from either of them in this clash will help with their AFCON goals tally and could be pivotal in their quest for glory.

Hugo Broos vs  Peseiro (Coaches)

Hugo Broos has won the AFCON in the past (Cameroon, 2017), so this is familiar terrain, and he may want to ride on that wave. Since the 2-0 loss to Mali in their opener, Broos has found a way to lock up his defence and grind out wins, even against a much-fancied Morocco in the second round

Peseiro promised Nigeria a semi-final spot which he has now delivered. In doing that, he has also found a way to get wins by changing tactics after the drab 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea that led to a victory against hosts Cote d’Ivoire in front of a packed stadium.

Arguably the two best tacticians at this tournament, their prowess will be put to the test on Wednesday. 

Fans (Nigerians vs South Africa)

Contests between Nigeria vs South Africa in all competitions, in recent times, have extended outside the venue of the actual event. What will happen at the Stade de la Paix, Bouake on Wednesday has also been regarded as a decider for the Amapiano vs Afro beats ‘battle’. South African singer, Tyla recently won the Grammy award for a category where every nominee was a Nigerian, and that didn’t sit well with a lot of Nigerians.

So, while Nigerians are looking for a payback for the Grammy loss, South Africans will try to compound their woes. May the best team win!

Vanguard