(AFP via Getty Images)
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Nigeria take on South Africa in the first Africa Cup of Nations semi-final this evening in what promises to be a barnstorming clash at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake.
Both teams have been defensively solid throughout the tournament with Nigeria only conceding one goal on their route to the final four – in their opening game against Equatorial Guinea – having kept four clean sheets in a row. That feat was matched by South Africa in their penalty shootout victory over Cape Verde after Bafana Bafana had held their opponents to a goalless draw to also record a fourth straight clean sheet.
The Super Eagles, who have been short on goals in this tournament, edged past Angola in their quarter-final thanks to Ademola Lookman’s first half strike. It was the only goal of the game and the third time in this tournament that Nigeria have won 1-0.
Only once since the last time Nigeria won the title, which was over a decade ago, have they reached this stage of the competition. They have lost five of their last six Afcon semi-final matches but that is nothing in comparison to South Africa who last reached the final four in 2000.
Follow all the action below plus get the latest Afcon odds and tips right here:
Nigeria vs South Africa
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EXTRA-TIME! Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
We’ll need at least another 30 minutes to separate these two sides as the ref blows the full-time whistle.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 18:59
Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
90+6 mins: HOW HAS HE MISSED!? Modiba’s free-kick is saved by Nwabali but the loose ball drops to Mudau who somehow skews his effort over the bar from no more than five yards out.
What a chance to win it for South Africa.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 18:57
Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
90+5 mins: South Africa, now, looking for a late winner. Tau’s low ball into the box can’t be turned home but Bafana Bafana now have a free-kick about 30 yards from goal.
They couldn’t, could they…
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 18:55
Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
90+3 mins: Makgopa attempts and acrobatic finish but the ball flies out for a goal-kick.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 18:53
GOAL! Nigeria 1-1 South Africa (Mokoena, 90 mins)
South Africa equalise! Mokoena sends Nwabali the wrong way and this is now surely heading for extra-time.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 18:50
DISALLOWED! Nigeria 1-0 South Africa
DRAMA! Not only is the goal ruled out for a foul but Yusuf’s tackle on Tau was inside the box and now South Africa have a penalty and a chance to level this match in the dying moments.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 18:48
GOAL! Nigeria 2-0 South Africa (Osimhen, 85 mins)
A superb counter-attack from the Super Eagles delivers what should be the match-winning moment. Lookman feeds Osayi-Samuel down the right and his low ball into the box is tapped home by Osimhen, unmarked at the back post.
But wait, now there’s a VAR check for a foul in the build-up.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 18:45
Nigeria 1-0 South Africa
84 mins: CLOSE! Superb keeping by Williams to keep his side in the game. Lookman bursts clear inside the box but the Nigerian forward is unable to round the South African keeper who superbly claims the ball.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 18:44
Nigeria 1-0 South Africa
83 mins: A look of concern emanating from the South African bench. Their team needs to find a moment of inspiration in the game’s final moments.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 18:43
Nigeria 1-0 South Africa
79 mins: A free-kick from the right for South Africa is whipped in by Tau but Nwabali bravely comes through the crowd to punch the ball clear before the ref blows for a foul on the Nigerian keeper.
Ben Fleming7 February 2024 18:39