South Africa head coach, Hugo Broos, believes his team is hungry to succeed as they go in search of their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations victory over Nigeria tomorrow at the Stade de la Paix.
Bafana Bafana have lost all three encounters against the Super Eagles on Africa’s biggest stage, but they are buzzing after beating surprise-package, Cape Verde, 2-1 on penalties to reach the semifinals.
Broos’ side finished runners-up in Group E on four points as they bounced back from a 2-0 defeat to Mali by thrashing Namibia 4-0 before playing out to a 0-0 draw with Tunisia.
The 1996 champions then stunned tournament favourites, Morocco, 2-0 in the round of 16 to set up a date with the Blue Sharks in the quarterfinals.
Nigeria emerged from Group A undefeated on seven points after they drew 1-1 with Equatorial Guinea and followed it up with successive 1-0 wins against Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau.
Jose Peseiro’s side went on to dispatch Cameroon 2-0 in the last 16 before edging Angola 1-0 in the quarterfinals, which means they have conceded just one goal in their opening five matches.
The Super Eagles will be sweating on the fitness of thier talisman, Victor Osimhen, after he was carried off on a stretcher late on against the Black Sable Antelopes.
Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana must do without Thapelo Maseko, who was forced off against Cape Verde in the 114th minute with a hamstring injury.
Nigeria head coach, Jose Peseiro, said “We are a quality team, Angola was very good, but we had more luck. I remain satisfied with my players but want us to be more efficient.
Meanwhile, hosts, Cote d’Ivoire, are fancied to continue their remarkable revival at the Africa Cup of Nations and ride a frensied wave of home support as they seek a place in the final with victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The two meet in Abidjan today just hours after Nigeria face South Africa in Bouake in the first semifinal. The winners advance to Sunday’s final in Abidjan.
The Ivorians have put aside their stuttering start to the tournament, including a humiliating 4-0 loss in the group stage to tiny Equatorial Guinea, to reach the final four, roared on by capacity home crowds.
They return to Abidjan’s Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium, which is where they delivered timid performances in the group stage, but now look a revitalised side after their come-from-behind knockout round success over holders, Senegal, and neighbours, Mali.
“We were at the bottom of a hole after losing to Equatorial Guinea. We had to wait for the (rest of the) group matches to (finish to) find out whether we qualified, which happened. After all that we endured, we are no longer afraid of anything,” said influential Ivorian midfielder, Seko Fofana.
“After the Equatorial Guinea match, we were insulted and we felt alone, but we managed to get through. Champions always manage to advance,” he added.
The Ivorians take on a Congolese outfit who drew four successive matches before their 3-1 quarterfinal win over Guinea. — Supersport.com
