Nigeria and South Africa will come up against each other in the semi-final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Date: 07/02/2024
Time: 18:00
Stadium: Stade Bouake
These predictions for the Nigeria vs South Africa clash were made by Bookmaker Ratings. For more predictions on the NPFL, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga and other European football leagues, visit our Football Predictions & Betting Tips page.
Nigeria have been solid in the 2023 AFCON campaign, with four wins and one draw in their last five matches. South Africa have been inconsistent, with two wins and two draws in their last five matches. Nigeria kept four clean sheets in their last five and haven’t needed extra time to see off any opponents, while the same can’t be said for South Africa. Thanks to both teams’ current performances, I predict Nigeria to win 1-0 in regular time.
Four of South Africa’s last five AFCON matches ended with under 2.5 goals, while Nigeria’s last five matches ended with less than three goals. Based on both teams’ recent results, I predict under 2.5 goals for the Nigeria vs South Africa match.
Nigeria are clearly the best team in the competition; they haven’t lost any of their last five matches. They started their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea but would win their next four matches to set up a semi-final clash with South Africa. The Super Eagles kept four clean sheets in their last five matches and are clearly the favourites to go through to the final.
South Africa lost their opening AFCON match 2-0 to Mali but would avoid defeat in their next two group stage matches and qualify for the knockout stage. They beat 10 men Morocco in the round of 16 and beat Cape Verde 2-1 on penalties after both regular time and extra time ended in goalless draws. The last time Bafana Bafana met with Nigeria in this stage of the competition, they won 2-0, and they wouldn’t hesitate to repeat the same.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Nigeria: Nwabili, Ajayi, Aina, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Sanusi, Onyeka, Iwobi, Simon, Lookman, Osimhen
South Africa: Williams, Modiba, Mvala, Kekana, Mudau, Mokoena, Sithole, Tau, Zwane, Morena, Makgopa