Nigeria, Ivory Coast faceoff in Afcon finals
Nigeria will meet hosts Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
The Super Eagles had largely made light work of all before them at this year’s AFCON but were forced into a dramatic penalty shootout by a dogged South Africa side in the semi-finals.
Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning spot-kick to put Nigeria within touching distance of a fourth continental crown and first since 2013, though 1992 and 2015 champions Ivory Coast have been on quite the journey themselves over recent weeks.
The hosts sacked their manager Jean-Louis Gasset after a disastrous 4-0 defeat by Equatorial Guinea that looked to have ended their campaign at the group stage, but they squeezed through as a best third-place team before knocking out holders Senegal and then Mali.
Sebastien Haller scored the only goal of the game as Ivory Coast edged out DR Congo in the second last-four meeting on Wednesday night.
TEAM NEWS
Victor Osimhen was passed fit to lead Nigeria against South Africa after abdominal discomfort had initially delayed him from travelling with the squad.
Ola Aina, Moses Simon and Calvin Bassey were all a booking away from missing the final, but none of that trio were cautioned against South Africa.
As for Ivory Coast, Haller is now back fit and firing, along with Brighton’s Simon Adingra.
Serge Aurier, Odilon Kossounou and Oumar Diakite will all be back from suspension for the Elephants.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The two sides now have an identical head-to-head record following Nigeria’s narrow win in the group stage.
Nigeria had previously lost four of their previous six meetings against Ivory Coast.
Nigeria wins: 9
Draws: 10
Ivory Coast wins: 9
PREDICTION
Ivory Coast have had their belief back after a rotten loss to Equatorial Guinea.
This will likely be a tense and cagey final decided by the odd goal, as was the group game between the two nations, but it also would not be a surprise to see it go all the way to extra time and penalties.
Credit: standard.co.uk
South Africa faces Congo DR in 3rd-place playoff tomorrow
South Africa faces Congo DR in the African Cup of Nations third-place playoff on Saturday. Bafana Bafana lost on penalties in the semi-final to Nigeria whilst The Leopards were defeated by hosts, Ivory Coast. These teams met in a friendly back in September 2023 which South Africa won 1-0.
South Africa faces Congo DR in the African Cup of Nations third-place playoff on Saturday. Bafana Bafana lost on penalties in the semi-final to Nigeria whilst The Leopards were defeated by hosts, Ivory Coast. These teams met in a friendly back in September 2023 which South Africa won 1-0.
In the round of 16, Hugo Broos’ team scored late to seal a 2-0 win over Morocco after a missed penalty by their opponents. Some Ronwen Williams heroics in gaol sealed a win on penalties in the quarter-final after a 0-0 stalemate vs Cape Verde after extra time. On Wednesday, a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes vs Nigeria was followed by a defeat on penalties to the Super Eagles.
Winger Thapelo Maseko is ruled out for this match due to injury. Grant Kekana will play no part at the back due to suspension, so Siyanda Xulu could start once again. Thapelo Morena is pushing for a recall down the right.
Coach Hugo Broos may consider a bit of rotation for this clash. Zakhele Lepasa could lead the line in preference to Evidence Makgopa. Terrence Mashego, Nyiko Mobbie, and Thabang Monare are others who could be handed a chance to start.
Bafana Bafana have been disciplined and steady in this tournament with little focus on dominating possession.
Credit: central.bet.co.za
Diplomatic row breaks out between Nigeria and South Africa
A diplomatic row broke out between Nigeria and South Africa ahead of the two sides’ semi-final match at the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday.
The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa warned Nigerian football fans to refrain from boisterous celebrations if their team wins.
That warning was intended to prevent the provocation of xenophobic attacks by frustrated South African supporters.
But South Africa says that this has only created “false alarm”.
There has been a long-standing rivalry between the two footballing giants – the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana.
But in its statement on Tuesday, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said there was “no history of soccer hooliganism among South Africans” at matches against Nigeria.
“We are confident that the sports-loving nation of South Africa poses no threat to Nigerian citizens, and we do not agree with the apprehension expressed by the High Commission,” Dirco added.
“The advisory is regrettable because it seems to create alarm and unnecessary tension between the citizens of South Africa and Nigerians living in or visiting South Africa.”
Nigeria has yet to respond to the statement from South African officials.
In its statement earlier on Tuesday, Nigeria’s diplomatic service said it was issuing the warning because it had seen evidence of “veiled threats” by South Africans online.
It advised Nigerians living in South Africa to “be watchful of their utterances, be mindful of where they choose to watch the match especially in public places, and refrain from engaging in loud, riotous or provocative celebrations should the Super Eagles win”.
Credit: bbc.com
