The semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations will be played on Wednesday with the hosts, Ivory Coast still alive in a tournament they looked almost down and out. The Super Eagles of Nigeria however keep getting better with each match and DR Congo have looked formidable so far. South Africa have performed beyond expectations to reach this stage but will they scale through this hurdle? We preview and predict what could be the eventuality in tomorrow’s matches.
Nigeria vs South Africa
These two nations have become rivals in recent years. The rivalry has now been turned up a notch in football and the outcome could yet threaten the safety of a set of travelers. Nigeria and South Africa have both proven to be defensively solid in this tournament with four clean sheets apiece. However, while Nigeria has not conceded since their opening day draw with Equatorial Guinea, South Africa conceded in their third group stage match. Furthermore, the clean sheet of the Super Eagles is not only down to the calmness and astuteness of South Africa-based goalkeeper Stanley Nabali but built on a rock-solid and watertight defence. The Bafana Bafana cannot boast of such backline but rely on the heroics of goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams, the 32 years old who saved four penalties against Cape Verde.
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The Nigerian attack, still to fire on all cylinders due to the lack of goals from Victor Osimhen who remains doubtful for the match, but has benefitted from the diverse supply routes, the Bafana Bafana forward line have had to rely more on midfielders carrying some of the weight. The match could come down to the experience of the players and how they handle pressure, and Nigeria also trumps in that department, hence the Super Eagles will prevail in this latest installment of a brewing rivalry. Nigeria to win 3-0.
Ivory Coast vs DR Congo
The hosts lost twice in the group stage and qualified for the knockout stages as the last of four best losers. A sacked coach and two passionate performances and they have become a dreaded opponent. But DR Congo are not a side that is fazed by the opposition as their performance against Morocco showed the continent. A solid backline and unpredictable style of play going forward could be the perfect ingredient to finally silence the galivanting home crowd. Despite the heroics Ivory Coast have only won once inside 90 minutes, while the DR Congo have done their business within that period.
The Ivory Coast are also the team with the fewest goals, conceded seven times (four in a match) and face a DRC side that scores and possess one of the stingiest defence in the competition in terms of shots faced despite conceding four times. They have allowed only 11 shots on target so far in the tournament- the fewest of any team left at AFCON. They have also proven unlucky against the Ivoirians in their previous AFCON semi-final clash in 2015 but the present crop of players do not fold in the face of opposition- they faced Morocco and Egypt- and a hostile crowd will be the next level for Chancel Mbemba and co. DR Congo to win 2-1.
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