AFCONSports

AFCON decisive stages: Analyzing Nigeria’s semi-final encounter against South Africa

Both teams are coming into this encounter with a strong defensive show in the championship, with the two teams keeping four clean sheets in four consecutive games in the AFCON

1.3k

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is heading towards its decisive stage, with Nigeria set to face off with Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the semi-final on Wednesday.

Both teams are coming into this encounter with a strong defensive show in the championship, with the two teams keeping four clean sheets in four consecutive games in the AFCON.

The Super Eagles are the most experienced team at this stage, making their 16th appearance in the AFCON since their debut in Ghana in 1963, reaching the last four without playing extra time.

South Africa had already taken the scalps of Tunisia and Morocco, but the win over Cape Verde is of much significance as they seal a semi-final spot for the first time in 24 years.

Last time out in the similar semi-final encounter in 2000 in Lagos, Nigeria humbled Bafana Bafana 2-0.

In the last 20 years, Nigeria have dominated this fixture with the most victories in their 11 meetings so far. The Super Eagles have had six wins, drawn four, and recorded one loss.

Road to the Semis:
Nigeria
° Draw Equatorial Guinea 1-1
° Defeat Ivory Coast 1-0
° Defeat Guinea Bissau 1-0
° Defeat Cameroon 2-0
° Defeat Angola 1-0
South Africa
° Lose to Mali 2-0
° Defeat Namibia 4-0
° Draw Tunisia 0-0
° Defeat Morocco 2-0

° Draw Cape Verde 0-0 (won on penalties 2-1)

Tactical Analysis
Bafana Bafana have played three different formations in five games in the championship in Ivory Coast, playing 4-4-2 and 4-2-2-2 in the games against Mali and Namibia, respectively.

The South African coach Hugo Broos switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation in his last three games, which is aimed at dominating the midfield and restricting opponents from accessing central spaces between the lines.

This formation was effective against the World Cup semi-finalists, Morocco and Tunisia.

The tactical formation of the South African team consists of four defenders, consisting of two central defenders and two full-backs.

Two deeper central midfielders operate ahead of the back line and are often referred to as a double pivot. Further forward, an attacking midfielder plays behind a lone centre-forward.

With the Super Eagles momentum on the ascendency with the 3-4-3 formation, winning four consecutive games, and scoring five goals without conceding, the possibility of Jose Peseiro switching his formation or changing players is slim.

The defence of the Super Eagles will have to be dogged to block zone 14 of the teams against the high-flying Themba Zwane and Teboho Mokoena.

The defenders and defensive midfielders of the Nigerian team should also avoid silly fouls close to the 18-yard box, as Hugo Broos men have the capability to punish any team from set pieces.

The midfield duo of Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeaka must be disciplined technically and tactically to cut out the passing lanes of the Bafana Bafana and distort their rhythm and synergy.

With South Africa committing six to seven men when transiting from defence to attack, the wingbacks of Ola Aina and Zaidu Sanusi and the inside forwards of Lookman and Simon should be swift and precise with their decision-making in the final third.

One of the advantages of the Super Eagles playing 3-4-3 against South Africa is that it will restrict the fluid movement of Bafana Bafana from midfield to Nigeria’s defensive third.

Due to the fact that the wing backs, slotting into full back positions will make it a back five.

Broos noted that after their 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea in their first group game, Nigeria have been improving game by game.

The South African gaffer named Osimhen and Lookman as the most dangerous outlets in the Nigerian side who can make a difference and bundle his team out of the tournament.

Speaking to sports reporters after the victory over Cape Verde, Broos said: “Nigeria is a team that has become better and better every game, so when I saw them playing, it’s again a very good team with a very good striker.

“There are also a few good players like the one who scored the goal, Lookman, a very good player, so we have to analyze a little bit more now because we didn’t at the time.”

The South African coach is the only remaining manager who has tasted AFCON glory before. He will be aiming to become the second manager, after Herve Renard, to win the trophy with two different national teams.

Before his success with Cameroon in 2017, the 71-year-old enjoyed a successful managerial career in his native Belgium. He coached Club Brugge and Anderlecht, winning three top-flight titles and six domestic cups.

Team News
Nigeria could lose Simon, Ola Aina, or Calvin Bassey to suspensions in a possible final if anyone among the trio is booked on Wednesday.

At the risk of missing out on a potential final for South Africa are Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, and Mothobi Mvala following their yellow cards against Morocco in the round of 16.

Nigeria’s possible starting lineup:
Nwabali; Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Aina, Onyeka, Iwobi, Sanusi, Simon, Lookman, Osimhen

South Africa’s possible starting lineup:
Williams, Mudau, Kekana, Mvala, Modiba, Mokoena, Sithole, Morena, Zwane, Tau, Makgopa

Leave a comment

Related Articles

FIFA announces draw date for expanded Club World Cup

FIFA has revealed that the draws for the newly expanded Club World...

Super Eagles Land in Abidjan, Gear Up for Benin Republic Clash

The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, has arrived in Abidjan,...

Exclusive: Nigerian heptathlon star, Oluwakemi Ruth Francis, slams AFN, its poor welfare

Nigerian heptathlete Oluwakemi Ruth Francis has opened up about her tumultuous experience...

Manchester United legend, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, departs club after interim stint

Manchester United has confirmed the departure of Ruud Van Nistelrooy, the club...

Osimhen’s Brace Powers Galatasaray to 3-2 Win Over Samsunspor

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen led Galatasaray to a thrilling 3-2 victory over...

Brighton stun Manchester City with 2-1 comeback win

Brighton & Hove Albion pulled off a stunning 2-1 comeback win over...

Chelsea smashes UEFA Conference League record with 8-0 thrashing of Noah

Chelsea FC made history in the UEFA Conference League, securing a staggering...

Arteta Gives Rice Injury Boost Ahead of Chelsea Clash

Midfielder Declan Rice will have every chance to demonstrate his fitness before...

Arsenal suffer controversial Champions League defeat to Inter Milan

Arsenal’s Champions League campaign suffered a setback as they fell to a...

Lobi Stars unveil Finnish tactician, Mika Lönnström, as new head coach

Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi has officially unveiled Mika Lönnström, a...

NFF in talks with Dangote, BUA for foreign coach payment

In a bid to address the long-standing issue of payment for foreign...

FIFA Pres. congratulates Donald Trump ahead of 2026 World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has extended congratulations to Donald Trump on his...

Super Falcons to Face France in November Friendly

The Nigerian women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will face France in...

Guardiola admits Manchester City’s struggle amid injury crisis

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that the club will struggle...

Pres.Tinubu Unveils Ambitious Plan to Revamp Nigeria’s Dilapidated Stadiums

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, has outlined...

CAF ruling against Libya: Nigerian govt. promises to protect its citizens in Libya

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to...

Breaking: Manchester United Appoints Ruben Amorim as New Manager on Two-and-a-Half Year Deal

Manchester United has confirmed the appointment of Ruben Amorim as the club’s...

Golden Jubilee: Soneye Strikes decisive goal as FS 50 edges Okocha’s FS Legends 2-1

In a thrilling match commemorating Mr. Olufemi Soneye’s 50th birthday, Team FS...

Breaking: Manchester United Sack Erik Ten Hag After West Ham Defeat

Just three months into the new season, Manchester United fired Erik Ten...