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Here is all you need to know about the Super Eagles vs. South Africa: Time and where to watch Nigeria's AFCON 2023 semifinal
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are one win away from the final thanks to their outstanding Africa Cup of Nations campaign, but they still need to defeat South Africa in Wednesday's semi-final at Stade de la Paix.
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23:59 - 03.02.2024
AFCON 2023: South Africa dares Super Eagles of Nigeria ahead of 'Amapiano battle' semi-final clash
See what South Africans are saying ahead of the clash against Nigeria in the semifinal of AFCON 2023.
In their most recent match, the Super Eagles defeated Angola 1–0 to advance, while the Bafana Bafana required a master performance from Ronwen Williams to overcome Cape Verde in the quarterfinals.
Preview of Nigeria ahead of South Africa
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10:10 - 03.02.2024
AFCON 2023: Nigerians say Moses Simon deserved Man of the Match more than Ademola Lookman
See what Nigerians are saying after Moses Simon beat Ademola Lookman deserved Man of the Match following the Super Eagles against Angola
Although Jose Peseiro's team defeated Angola 1-0 without giving up a goal the Super Eagles displayed signs of cumulative tiredness in the final eight minutes, with some players appearing to be exhausted.
Ademola Lookman has been the Super Eagles' bright spot at AFCON 2023.
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He scored his third goal of the competition, adding to his brace against Cameroon.
With this achievement, he joined Odion Ighalo in 2019 and Jay-Jay Okocha in 2004 as the only other Nigerians to score three or more goals in a single edition's knockout stages with Rashidi Yekini being the first to do so in 1994.
The three-time African champions advanced to a record-tying 15th semi-final thanks to the Atalanta forward's first-half goal.
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The team with the most podium finishes on the continent will look to eliminate South Africa on Wednesday to play either Ivory Coast or Congo DR on February 11 in the final.
With their hopes of making it to their first final since winning it in 2013, the Super Eagles may persevere in the competition's opening semi-final despite it being unclear if they have enough energy left for another performance that primarily depends on defensive resiliency.
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South Africa Preview Ahead of Nigeria
Given that they have previously defeated Cape Verde in the quarterfinal on Saturday and eliminated tournament favorites Morocco in the last 16, South Africa is not expected to be an easy opponents.
While his teammates were wasting away their 12-yard kick attempts, Williams was the clear winner of the shootout that ensued after 120 minutes without a goal saving four penalties.
Because of their goalkeeper's outstanding play, Bafana Bafana has advanced to the Cup of Nations semifinals for the first time since 2000.
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They were runners-up in 1998, winners in 1996, and third in 2000.
This is their third appearance in the semifinals since the tournament's inception.
Nigeria The 1996 winners are eager to surpass an old rival en route to the country's third AFCON final after 24 years.
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The fact that South Africa has never defeated Nigeria in the Cup of Nations—losing 2-0 in the 2000 semifinals, 4-0 in the 2004 final, and being eliminated after a 2-1 loss in the 2019 last eight—highlights how unfair this matchup is at the continental championship.
Although Osimhen is Nigeria's best player, the Napoli striker's careless finishing is concerning for the country as they attempt to win an African championship for the fourth time.
Despite tiring as the quarterfinal went on, the African Footballer of the Year is expected to start and will likely be surrounded by Moses Simon and the in-form Lookman as forwards in Peseiro's 3-4-2-1 formation.
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If any of the three players, Simon, Ola Aina, or Calvin Bassey are booked on Wednesday, Nigeria will lose them to suspensions in final.
After receiving yellow cards against Cape Verde, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, and Mothobi Mvala could also be missing if South Africa makes the final.
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Similar to the Super Eagles, Broos's team has not given up a goal since their opening match against Mali, and the AFCON 2017 champion manager is unlikely to alter the defense that has shut out opponents for four straight games.
Nigeria not only had an extra day to recover before their match against South Africa on Wednesday in Bouake, but they also made it through the knockout stages without the need for extra time or penalties, which gave Peseiro's team the physical advantage they needed in the semifinals to go to the championship match.
Nigeria has had an outstanding AFCON season; after five games, they have not experienced a loss.
The Super Eagles have not looked back since their initial match, a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea.
Nigeria has scored in every game so far, despite their tendency to miss chances to score goals.
Additionally, it seems that manager Jose Peseiro has perfected his defensive setup because they have only let up one goal in the competition and have had four straight clean sheets.
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Super Eagles of Nigeria vs Bafana Bafana of South Africa Head-to-head
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.
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Super Eagles of Nigeria vs Bafana Bafana of South Africa Head-to-head Player to watch
Nigeria has been led by a resilient defense that has only let up one goal during the tournament.
Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong, and Calvin Bassey, the Central defensive trio, have been impenetrable and can guide the Super Eagles to their fifth consecutive clean sheet.
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Lookman, on the opposite side of the ball, has drawn attention during the knockout stage after scoring three goals in his previous two games.
Super Eagles of Nigeria vs South Africa Time and where to watch
The game between South Africa and Nigeria is slated to begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
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The game between South Africa and Nigeria will take place at Bouake's Stade de la Paix.
Across Africa and beyond, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will broadcast the 2023 AFCON, which takes place in 2024.
The local broadcaster in Nigeria is AfroSport, but it is also accessible on Supersports on DSTV and Starstimes Sports Premium.
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Here is all you need to know about the Super Eagles of Nigeria's quarterfinal fixture against Angola.
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