AFCON 2024: Nigeria vs South Africa Preview, Head-To-Head, Lineup, Live Streaming and Telecast

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AFCON 2024, Nigeria vs South Africa: Three-time champions Nigeria will look to reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nation for the sixth time as they take on 1996 champions South Africa in the semifinal at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake on Wednesday (February 7).

In their most recent match, the Super Eagles defeated Angola 4-0 to advance to the round of sixteen, while Bafana Bafana required a master performance from Ronwen Williams to overcome Cape Verde in the quarterfinals.

Match: Nigeria vs South Africa
Kick-off time: 5:00 PM local time; 6:00 PM (Abuja); 7:00 PM (Johannesburg)
Location: Bouake
Stadium: Stade de la Paix
Capacity: 40,000
Date: February 7, 2024

Nigeria vs South Africa: Head-to-Head Record

This will be the 15th encounter between Nigeria and South Africa in men's international football. Their last head-to-head came at this very competition four years ago. The match ended 2-1 in Nigeria's favour. Samuel Chukwueze and William Troost-Ekong scored the two goals in the match.

Matches Played in all competitions: 14
South Africa Win: 2
Nigeria Win: 7
Draws: 5
South Africa Goals: 9
Nigeria Goals: 24

Nigeria vs South Africa Preview

Although Jose Peseiro's team defeated Angola 1-0 without giving up, the Super Eagles displayed signs of cumulative tiredness in the final eight minutes, with some players appearing to be exhausted. Victor Osimhen and Alex Iwobi appeared to be the most impacted, and Frank Onyeka had an injury that forced him to sit out the match against Palancas Negras.

Still, Ademola Lookman has been the Super Eagles' bright spot at AFCON 2023. He added to his brace against Cameroon to score his third goal in the finals, making him the fourth Nigerian to score three goals or more in a single edition's knockout stages, following Odion Ighalo in 2019 (four goals), Jay-Jay Okocha in 2004 (three goals), and Rashidi Yekini in 1994 (three goals).

The three-time African champions advanced to a record-tying 15th semi-final thanks to the Atalanta forward's first-half goal. Egypt (13) came in second, and the team with the most podium finishes on the continent will look to eliminate South Africa on Wednesday to play either Ivory Coast or Congo DR on February 11.

With their hopes of making it to their first final since winning it in 2013, the Super Eagles may persevere in the competition's opening semi-final despite it being unclear if they have enough energy left for another performance that primarily depends on defensive resiliency.

Nigeria vs South Africa: Predicted Lineup

Nigeria: Nwabali; Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey; Aina, Onyeka, Iwobi, Sanusi; Simon, Lookman; Osimhen

South Africa: Williams; Mudau, Kekana, Mvala, Modiba; Mokoena, Sithole; Morena, Zwane, Tau; Makgopa

Nigeria vs South Africa: Live Streaming and Telecast
Live Streaming & TV Telecast: SABC Sport (Nigeria), NTA (South Africa)