Nigeria v South Africa: Match preview, what to expect, confirmed team news, kickoff time and venue

Nigeria will slug it out with South Africa for a ticket in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with the winner set to face the victor between Ivory Coast and DR Congo.

The Super Eagles have yet to taste a defeat since the start of the competition and boast of the best defensive record having conceded just once.

On the other hand, since their opening game defeat to Mali, the Bafana Bafana are yet to lose a game and will have to continue their run to book their place in the final for the first time in 28 years.

Match preview

Both sides have met three times in the competition with Nigeria winning on all occasions.

One of their previous meetings was a semifinal clash in 2000 when the West Africans edged their South African counterparts 2-0.

Without any iota of doubt, the Super Eagles are the favorite heading into the game, boasting of a better head-to-head record, form, and quality than Hugo Broos' side.

What to expect

Nigeria are expected to continue with their 3-4-3 formation which has brought them to this stage with the setup transforming to a 5-4-1 when they defend.

Due to their tactical setup, the fullbacks in combination with the wingers will have a lot to say in the way they attack and defend.

With Victor Osimhen's declared fit, the Napoli forward is expected to lead the attack, be the Super Eagles focal point, and combine with Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman.

The 2013 AFCON winners are very dangerous in transition and with Lookman's good deliveries from the corner flag and Ola Aina's throws, they will also pose a lot of threat from set pieces.

Conversely, South Africa play with a 4-2-3-1 formation and while they have proven to be contact, they can also cause opposition problems with their short exchange of passes particularly when central midfielder Teboho Mokoena is in form.

However, with Nigeria possessing better individual quality, it won't be surprising to see them play more cautiously just like they did against Morocco when they were also the inferior side.

Confirmed team news

Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen has passed a fitness test and should be available for selection.

On the other hand, South Africa will not be able to count on the services of Mamelodi Sundowns winger Thapelo Maseko who has been ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury. 

Key players.

1. William Troost-Ekong(Nigeria): The former Watford defender played a crucial role in keeping one of the tournament's best forwards, Mabulul, quiet in the last game and will have to pick it up where he left it if the Super Eagles are to reach the final for the first time since 2013.

2. Ademola Lookman(Nigeria): With Victor Osimhem failing to hit his goalscoring strides, the Atalanta forward has taken it upon himself to be José Peseiro's most decisive player.

With his brace against Angola, he joined the exclusive list of Nigerian players to have scored at least three goals in the knockout rounds of the Africa Cup of Nations.

3. Ronwen Williams(South Africa): Rarely is a goalkeeper singled out as a key player heading into any fixture but the performance of the 32-year-old has a huge role in the Bafana Bafana reach this stage.

As they are set to face another superior opposition, his performance could be the deciding factor on whether South Africa advances to the final.

4.Teboho Mokoena(South Africa): The 27-year-old dictates the flow of Hugo Broos' side, averaging more passes and key passes per game in the team.

Bafana Bafana will have to get him on the ball as much as possible if they are to get past Nigeria.

Venue and kickoff time 

The game will take place at Stade de la Paix, Bouaké and the first blast of the whistle will be at 1800 Nigerian time

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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