Nigeria vs South Africa: news, prediction, matters arising

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Nigerian Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa will meet on Wednesday at Ivory Coast’s second largest city, Bouaké, to contend for a spot in the AFCON final.

Both countries have shown impressive abilities in their attacking and defence through noteworthy accomplishments in the race so far.

People around the world are figuratively sitting on the edges of their seats in anticipation of the action that will commence at Ivory Coast tomorrow.

Nigeria formerly knocked out Angola by a narrow 1–0, while South Africa stopped the Sharks of Cape Verde to set up a meeting with the Giant of Africa.

However, though the Super Eagles lifted the AFCON trophy 10 years ago, they have been unable to make it to the finals since then, save once.

Now Africa’s most populous footballing nation will be looking to lift the prestigious trophy for the fourth time.

A sad news that came to fans of Nigeria ahead of the match suggested that Victor Osimhen might not be available for selection during the deciding game. The fearsome scorer who is yet to register as much damage as he is known for reportedly came down with abdominal discomfort.

The international’s dreadful presence on the pitch have served as a distraction against Nigeria’s opponents in the past, and will prove helpful during the Super Eagles’ toughest match for the tournament yet.

Also, Nigeria’s defense might not be as sturdy as before if their interesting goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali happens to be missing during the game. The stopper sustained an injury during their last match, and the team’s medical unit seem to be unwilling to let him play.

Though the Super Eagles’ Portuguese coach, Jose Peseiro, announced that he had trust in all the three keepers in the team, Nigerians have taken to the internet to express their fear of having Uzoho on the pitch.

According to most predictions, the match will be a tough one. Some expect Nigeria to win, while many opined that if the competition comes to a penalty shootout, Nigeria would lose.

Noteworthy is the fact that both Nwabali and Bafana Bafana’s goalkeeper Ronwen Williams both have four clean sheets each.

If both men meet on the pitch, it is going to set up a competition between the two keepers.