The penultimate stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is set as the semifinals of the competition is set to kick off with four teams eyeing the two spots for the final.
All four semifinalists, Nigeria, D.R Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, and South Africa are previous winners of the competition and will look to add to their title collection. Owing to the unpredictability and unprecedented run of results witnessed at the tourney thus far, all four semifinalists have a good shot at making the final.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be playing their 16th semifinal match in 19 appearances at the continental showpiece and are the only side to reach the last four without playing extra time. While the pre-tournament talk revolved around Nigeria’s attacking prowess, their defence has stolen the headline thus far, proving resilient in the face of adversity by conceding only one goal. Goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali has been the driving force behind the team’s defensive shield.
The confidence and certainty Nwabali effortlessly oozes in dealing with crosses, initiating plays and commanding his goal area is definitely a huge plus to the Super Eagles, who have lacked a formidable presence in goal in recent years. Nwabali has conceded just once in five games at this year’s tournament and is the first Nigerian goalkeeper to keep 4 successive clean sheets in a major tournament since Best Ogedegbe in 1980.
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana make a long-awaited return to the semifinals of the competition owing to the exploits of their goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams. The Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper was the hero for South Africa following his record four saves in the quarterfinal penalty shootout victory over Cape Verde. The Bafana Bafana captain put up a masterclass in delivering under pressure as he kept the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde at bay all through the match.
Hugo Broos men have been impressive thus far, recording their biggest AFCON win ever, eliminating FIFA World Cup semifinalists, Morocco, and the unbeaten Cape Verde to get to this position. Bafana Bafana’s last semifinal appearance at the tournament coincidentally was against Nigeria, a match they lost 2-0 in 2000. Goalkeeper Ron Williams will prove vital for South Africa if they are to progress past Nigeria into the final – in 15 games between both sides, Bafana Bafana has won 2, drawn 5 while losing 8, a record they will seek to improve.
Hosts, Cote d’Ivoire have made the headlines all through the competition for various reasons, though in recent days for their remarkable comebacks. The Ivorians almost got eliminated following the humiliating loss to Equatorial Guinea and had to rely on Morocco to qualify as one of the third-best-placed teams. Ever since then, the Elephants have pulled their weight remarkably in stunning comebacks to oust reigning champions, Senegal and Mali.
The likes of Seko Fofana, Oumar Diakite, Frank Kessie have all been impressive as Cote d’Ivoire have made the semifinals against all odds. It will be their 9th semifinal appearance at the continental showpiece, where they will face D.R Congo in a rematch of the 2015 semifinal, won by the Elephants (3-1).
Having played out four stalemates to reach the quarterfinals of the competition, two-time African champions, D.R Congo recorded their first win of the tournament by beating Guinea 3-1 to reach the semifinals. The Leopards displayed grit and guts in overcoming an early goal by the Syli National to reach a 5th semifinal appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations. It is worthy to note that during both title triumphs, D.R Congo eliminated the host country in the semifinal – an extra-time 3-2 win over Ethiopia in 1968 and a 3-2 win over Egypt in 1974.
