ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, Feb 7 – Social media has branded the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final clash between Nigeria and South Africa as the ‘battle of the beats’, with the two countries’ musical tastes having taken over the continent and by extension the world.
Nigeria has been known to popularize afrobeats, with high profile artistes like Burna Boy, Wizkid and Davido putting the green and white flag on the global eye with their captivating beats and sweet soothing melodies.
On the other end, South Africa’s Amapiano is a new wave taking on the world with the energetic dances causing waves and even global musicians incorporating them in their choreography for lve shows and music videos.
Music aside, the two nations clash in what is expected to be a hotly fought semi-final duel in Bouake at 8pm EAT, the Super Eagles seeking their third African title while Bafana are seeking their second, and first since 1996 when they hosted it in place of Kenya.
The Nigerian side is beaming in confidence, having played satisfactorily over the tournament. This will be a repeat of the 2000 semi-final, when Nigeria beat bafana and the latter will be seeking for revenge.
The West Africans have the upper hand in meetings at Afcon, winning all three encounters – with the most recent of those a quarter-final tie in 2019.
Playing in a record-extending 15th Afcon semi-final, Nigeria have impressed both in attack and in defence, where they have won their past four games without conceding a goal – their best run at a Nations Cup.
“We’ve got a lot of faith in our defensive structure and in the final third we’re frightening,” defender Semi Ajayi told BBC Sport Africa.
Coach Jose Peseiro has repeatedly said a clean sheet will guarantee a win for his side given their prowess up front, where reigning African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen has impressed with his non-stop running and pressing despite only scoring once.
Former Nigeria international Sunday Oliseh has praised Osimhen’s ‘leadership and hunger’, external with the latter a key word for a team that – unlike some previous Super Eagles sides – looks fully focused.
Will Broos mastermind upset for Bafana Bafana?
While many expected Nigeria to go far, few thought the same about South Africa who have benefitted from the guile of Hugo Broos, who led Cameroon to their unexpected 2017 triumph.
The oldest coach at the tournament, the 71-year-old has relied on the core of South African club Mamelodi Sundowns to take Bafana Bafana into the last four for the first time in 24 years.
Eight players from the Pretoria-based club that won last year’s inaugural African Football League, while also reaching the African Champions League semi-finals, started their quarter-final against Cape Verde.
Ronwen Williams’ penalty heroics against Cape Verde came after he had made a superb save during second-half added time of normal time
“He has taken Sundowns players because he understands those players have experience against different opponents from across the continent – and he realised the synergy and teamwork are important,” former South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena told the BBC.
Broos said their performance against Cape Verde was their worst at the finals so far and, although Bafana Bafana have also achieved four straight clean sheets, he was indebted to captain Ronwen Williams for a crucial last save before keeping out four penalties in the shootout.
In midfield Teboho Mokoena, another Sundowns man, has provided dynamism while Nigeria will need to be wary of experienced forward Themba Zwane who scored twice in the group-stage win against Namibia.
With Broos having fielded an unchanged since the second game, a major concern will be fatigue, with former South Africa midfielder Dean Furman pointing out the “heavy legs” against Cape Verde on Saturday.
