The pairings for the Nations Cup semifinal is complete with South Africa’s victory over Cape Verde Island on Saturday night.
Bafana Bafana will take on Nigeria while Host Ivory Coast play DR Congo
Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana last met in the nations cup some twenty-four years ago in Surulere Lagos when Nigeria co-hosted with Ghana and it was a brace from Tijani Babangida that saw off South Africa.
Babangida’s 1st and 34th-minute goals took care of business on that occasion in front of a packed stadium in Surulere, Lagos when Nigeria co-hosted with Ghana.
A brilliant penalty shoot-out performance by South Africa’s goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams helped South Africa fight off a dogged Cape Verde side while Nigeria defeated Angola 1-0 on Friday to set up the semi-final.
Although both sides have met in subsequent AFCONs, it has not been at the penultimate stage. In all the meetings, Nigeria has triumphed.
In Tunisia 2004, Nigeria saw off Bafana Bafana 4-0 in the group stage, while their last AFCON meeting was in 2019 in the quarter-finals when Egypt hosted. Samuel Chukwueze and Troost-Ekong’s goals helped Nigeria to a 2-1 win.
Ivory Coast and DR Congo complete the semi-final pairings.
