Three-time Africa champions, the Super Eagles of Nigeria are ready to maintain their dominance over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as the two powerhouses lock horns this evening in the first semi-final of the 34th edition of the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
It will be recalled that the Victor Osimhen inspired team pipped the Palancas Negras of Angola 1-0 in the quarter-finals while Bafana Bafana overcame regional rivals Cape Verde on penalties to set up today’s clash with Nigeria.
Although Nigeria and South Africa have 14 battles between them, this evening’s contest in Bouake marks the fourth time that the two continental superpowers go up against each other in the AFCON, since they first met at the 2000 finals which Nigeria co-hosted with Ghana.
This is what happened in those three past encounters:
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February 2000 – Nigeria 2 South Africa 0
Bafana’s last appearance in a Cup of Nations semi-final came in Lagos where they were swiftly dealt with by the Super Eagles, with the then Ajax of Amsterdam star Tijani Babangida scoring two breathtaking goals to make it a no contest.
January 2004 – Nigeria 4 South Africa 0
Nigeria were a whole different proposition and South Africa were quickly in trouble as Joseph Yobo scored in the fourth minute. ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha doubled the score with a 64th minute penalty and substitute Peter Odemwingie rubbed salt into South African wounds with two goals in two minutes in the dying minutes. South Africa, coached then by Styles Phumo, were thoroughly outplayed.
June 2019 – Nigeria 2 South Africa 0
South Africa had upset hosts Egypt in the last-16 of the Cup of Nations to setup a meeting with Nigeria in Cairo in the quarterfinal of the newly expanded 24-team tournament. Samuel Chukwueze scored first after being set up by Alex Iwobi with his initial effort blocked by Thulani Hlatshwayo but falling back for him to finish on the run. Bongani Zungu equalised with 20 minutes to go from a header at a free kick. However, a horror Ronwen Williams’ mistake at a corner allowed William Troost-Ekong to secure Nigeria a semifinal place as he netted a last-minute winner.
Meanwhile, the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire who returned from the ‘dead’ after a humiliating 0-4 loss to Equatorial Guinea will face DR Congo in the other semi-final match.
