The semi-finals of the 2023 AFCON will begin on Wednesday February 7 with Ivory Coast, Nigeria, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo competing for the final victory.
2023 AFCON: ‘Repeat Or Revenge’ As South Africa Takes On Nigeria Today
Bafana Bafana will face their great rival Nigeria in the first semi-final on Wednesday February. The match looked like a repeat of the 2000 semi-final where the Super Eagles beat the 1996 champions 2-0 in Lagos.
In Ivory Coast, the rivalry between the two teams will be reignited as Nigeria will aim for a fourth title, while South Africa will aim for an elusive second title.
The Super Eagles, lost in the semi-finals in 2000, narrowly beat Bafana Bafana 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the 2019 tournament in Egypt.
The two teams have met 14 times so far, with the Super Eagles winning seven and South Africa two, while the other five ended in stalemates.
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It will be another contribution to the rich history of African football when Bafana Bafana take on the stars of the Super Eagles, coached by two former African champions.
Hugo Bruce, who led the Immortal Lions of Cameroon to victory five years ago, appears to have the technical acumen to beat the Eagles, something he demonstrated in their previous matches before the semi-finals.
Supported by Herman Mkharere, a key member of the 1996 golden generation who gave South Africa its first and only African title, the South Africans are this time ready to reverse the trend.
It looks like it will be an uphill battle, with an explosive Super Eagles team led by the dangerous Victor Osimhen and the red-hot Ademola Lookman, with the West Africans likely to be heavy favorites to win, but the South Africans will play against the underdog, which will take place on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké.