Nigeria will be featuring in the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations for a record extending eighth time when the Super Eagles file out against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana at the Stade de Bouaké to determine the first team to qualify for the final of the 2013 edition of the competition.
Apart from the three straight last four qualifications in 2002, 2004 and 2006, Nigeria were in the semi-finals in 1978, 1992, 2010 and 2019. Although the Eagles won the bronze medal in Ethiopia 1976, the top four teams in that edition played a round robin at the final stage with Nigeria finishing third behind champions Morocco and silver medalists Guinea.
South Africa reached this stage in 1996 when they hosted and won the title, as well as Burkina Faso 1998 and Ghana/Nigeria 2000.
Nigeria will be aiming to reach the final and win the title for the fourth time after victories at home in 1980, Tunisia 1994 and South Africa 2013. They were losing finalists in 1984, 1988, 1990 and at home in 2000.
Apart from their triumph in 1996, South Africa reached the final in 1998 but could not successfully defend their title against Egypt.
In Côte d’Ivoire 2023, Nigeria started not so brightly, requiring Victor Osimhen’s fightback to end the game against Equatorial Guinea 1-1. But José Peseiro’s team got the better of the hosts 1-0, and had the same scoreline against Guinea-Bissau in their last group game to come second in the group.
In the Round of 16, the Super Eagles turned up a gear and sent one their fierce opponents, Cameroon packing 2-0. In the quarterfinals, Nigeria were victorious by another lone goal against Angola to set up a semifinal clash against South Africa.
South Africa were in Group E and lost 0-2 to Mali in their opening fixture. Five days later, the Bafana Bafana smashed Namibia 4-0 and went on to play goalless with Tunisia to finish second behind Mali in the section.
South Africa shocked Morocco 2-0 in the Round of 16 and beat Cape Verde Islands 2-1 by penalties after regulation and extra times ended goalless.
The second semifinal will feature hosts Côte d’Ivoire go up against DR Congo.
Fixtures: Nigeria v South Africa (6 pm), Côte d’Ivoire v DR Congo (9 pm)
