Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Image via Twitter @thando_thabethe
Nigeria vs Bafana Bafana: All you need to know ahead of AFCON semi-final cracker
Bafana Bafana and Nigeria will renew acquaintances in Wednesday’s AFCON semi-final. Here is the only comprehensive match preview you’ll need.
Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Image via Twitter @thando_thabethe
Nigeria and Bafana Bafana will battle for a place in the AFCON final. Here’s a comprehensive match preview looking at danger men, key battles, a squad value comparison and much more.
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Nigeria vs Bafana Bafana: Key AFCON semi-final details
These two old rivals meet in the AFCON semi-finals on Wednesday, 7 February at 19:00 at Stade Bouaké.
Nigeria’s danger men
Nigeria got the better of Angola in a tight quarter-final clash. Ademola Lookman was the only goalscorer on the evening, and the Atalanta man scored a brace against Cameroon in the round of 16. Meanwhile, the directness and pace of AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze will give Aubrey Modiba plenty to think about, if he gets the nod from the start, that is. Talismanic striker Victor Osimhen is an injury doubt after suffering an abdominal strain. The 25-year-old is valued at €110m by Transfermarkt, or $118m, so needless to say, he’s Nigeria’s more prized asset as he makes up just under a third of the entire playing squad’s estimated $358m evaluation.
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Super Eagles’ squad 14 times more valuable than Bafana’s
According to Transfermarkt evaluations, via CBS Sports Golazo on X, the Super Eagles squad is valued at $358m, with Bafana’s estimated at $24.8m, which goes into 358 around 14.3 times. 22 of South Africa’s 26 players ply their trade in the local South African Premier Division. If these numbers make you dizzy, they should. It all illustrates the enormity of the task facing Hugo Broos and his men, but also how impressive it is that they’ve reached this stage.
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Goalkeepers could be key
Ronwen Williams made history with his penalty-shootout heroics against Cape Verde, saving four spot kicks to see Bafana through to this stage. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Chippa United keeper Stanley Nwabili (a rumoured target for Kaizer Chiefs), has kept four clean sheets in the tournament. The Super Eagles haven’t conceded since the opening day of the tournament in a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea. Williams himself has kept three shutouts. A single goal could sway this grand occasion.
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Maestro Mokoena
Teboho Mokoena has been superb at the base of midfield for South Africa in the tournament, dovetailing perfectly with Sphephelo Sithole to help the side control games in the centre of the park. We all know about his composure, silky first touch and reading of the game in a Sundowns jersey, but it’s great to see him flourishing for the national side. That sumptuous direct free-kick against Morocco’s Atlas Lions was a highlight of the tournament, and he’ll be desperate to etch his name onto a few more headline moments. At 27, the maestro is entering his peak.
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Where will you be watching this titanic clash? Let us know in the comments.
Meanwhile, hit up James Freemantle for more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game.
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