Verdict: Nigeria win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
With an AFCON final spot hanging in the balance on Wednesday evening, Nigeria will meet South Africa at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake.
Nigeria
Starting with Nigeria, watching a host of African icons shockingly crashing out at the group stage last month, the Super Eagles are certainly smelling the chance to make more AFCON history. Collecting seven points from their three Group A appearances, Jose Peseiro’s men have quickly gained a reputation for their pragmatic approach. Making a statement on January 27th as they punched their quarter-final ticket thanks to a 2-0 victory against historic rials Cameroon, the mood in Niergia’s camp should be at a real high. Suffering just a single defeat from any of their previous 13 straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back over the past 11 months. Picking up a 2-1 victory when they last met South Africa while on AFCON qualifying duties back in July 2019, the Super Eagles will certainly be calling on a repeat performance here.
Team News
Forming what has become a rugged partnership at the heart of Peseiro’s midfield, Fulham’s Alex Iwobi will once again partner Brentford star Frank Onyeka. An unused substitute in both of Nigeria’s two knockout stage appearances, AC Milan attacker Samuel Chukwueze will have to settle for another spot on the bench.
Bagging the winner against Angola last week and now notching three strikes in his last two AFCON appearances, Atalanta ace Ademola Lookman will certainly have a leading role to play here. Despite failing to open his account over the past few weeks, Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen will spearhead Nigeria’s charge.
South Africa
As for South Africa, although Bafana Bafana might have opened up this year’s AFCON adventure with a routine 2-0 loss at the hands of Mali, Hugo Broos’ side have come roaring back. Despite claiming just a single victory from their three Group E appearances last month, the one-time Cameroon boss has seen his squad make a real knockout stage statement. Collecting a famous 2-0 victory against World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, the Yellows have also continued to shine with their rugged performances at the back. However, while South Africa might be desperate to extend on their AFCON fairytale here, they will be worried by a nightmare record against Wednesday’s opponents. Including that 2-1 loss when they last met Nigeria back in July 2019, Broos’ men have claimed just one of their previous 10 meetings across all competitions.
Team News
Not shipping a single strike in almost 400 minutes of action, Mamelodi shot-stopper Ronwen Williams will earn a 38th international cap in midweek. Plying his trade with Portuguese outfit Tondela, Sphephelo Sithole will partner Teboho Mokoena in the middle of the park.
Bagging what was a famous AFCON strike against Morocco on January 30th, 23-year-old Avidence Makgopa will spearhead Broos’ attack on Wednesday night. Once-time Brighton misfit Percy Tau will certainly partner Makgopa in the final third.
Key Factors to Consider
When Nigeria and South Africa last met back in July 2019, the Super Eagles picked up a 2-1 victory.
Nigeria have lost just one of their previous 10 meetings against Bafana Bafana.
Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman has bagged three goals in his last two AFCON appearances.
Both Nigeria and South Africa have kept a clean sheet in all of their previous four AFCON appearances.
All of Nigeria’s last eight appearances across all competitions have finished with under 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
While South Africa might have sprung a major AFCON upset over the past few weeks, Nigeria should be smelling a potential opportunity on Wednesday evening. Landing a 2-1 victory when they last met Bafana Bafana back in July 2019, the African icons have lost just one of their previous 10 straight showdowns against their fellow semi-finalists. Although chances could come at a premium here, we are backing the Super Eagles to extend on their AFCON adventure in midweek.
Verdict: Nigeria win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
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