• Both Nigeria and South Africa are continental economic rivals. The rivalry is now more pronounced on the football field.

• This will be the 15^thclash of both teams at Grade A level but the third in the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations having met in 2000, 2004 and 2019.

• Both teams will field goalkeepers from the Premier Soccer League of South Africa. Rowen Williams the South African goalkeeper features for Mamelodi Sundowns while Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali guards the goalpost for Chippa United.

• Wednesday’s encounter marks South Africa’s 49^th match in the Africa Cup of Nations since making debut on home soil in 1996.

• Nigeria and South Africa are meeting in the Africa Cup of Nations for the fourth They first met in 2000 in Lagos and later in Monastir, Tunisia and Egypt in 2019.  Nigeria won 2-0, 4-0 and 2-1 respectively.

• A Nigeria- South Africa encounter produced the 1,00^thgoal of the Africa Cup of Nations when Austin Okocha from the penalty spot scored the second in Nigeria’s 4-0 triumph.

• South Africa-owned MTN is one of the sponsors of the Super Eagles

• South Africa progressively declined in performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, winning in 1996, runners-up in 1998, third-place in 2000, quarter finals in 2002, group stage in 2004 where they were ranked 11^thamong 16 team; and group stage again in 2006, raking 16^th among 16 teams.

• Nigeria’s former international, Ayodele Makinwa was a scoring debutant in Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to South Africa at the 2004 Nelson Mandela Challenge match.

• South Africa’s 2-1 win over Nigeria in 2004 was the country’s first ever. It was followed up with another 2-0 win in Uyo. The two matches made South Africa’s former Scot coach, Stuart Baxter, the only one to have led South Africa to beat Nigeria.

• This is South Africa’s first semi-final match in 24 years.

• Wednesday’s match will be the 15^thclash of both Nigeria and South Africa. These include their clash in the 2014 Africa Cup of Nations Championship (CHAN). Nigeria won seven times as against two victories by South Africa. The remaining five were drawn.

Nigeria and South Africa are set to face off in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, with the match poised to be a showdown of historic proportions. Ahead of this highly anticipated encounter, here are the key facts and figures:

1. Head-to-Head History: This marks the fourth meeting between Nigeria and South Africa at the AFCON, with the Super Eagles emerging victorious in all three previous encounters, outscoring the Bafana Bafana 8-1.
2. Previous Semi-Final Encounter: Nigeria and South Africa last clashed in the AFCON semi-finals in 2000, with the Super Eagles securing a 2-0 win courtesy of a brace from Tijani Babangida.
3. Semi-Final Records: Nigeria holds the record for the most appearances in AFCON semi-finals, making their 15th appearance in this stage. However, they have only progressed from one of their last six semi-final matches, winning the tournament in 2013.
4. Defensive Dominance: Nigeria enters the semi-final with an impressive defensive record, having kept clean sheets in their last four AFCON games. They aim to achieve five consecutive clean sheets for the first time since March 1982.
5. South Africa’s Semi-Final Journey: South Africa is appearing in their fourth AFCON semi-final and their first since 2000, where they were previously eliminated by Nigeria.
6. Solid Defensive Streak: South Africa boasts a remarkable defensive run, having kept four consecutive clean sheets in the tournament, a feat they had not achieved in their previous 21 AFCON matches combined.
7. Goal Scoring Dynamics: Nigeria has relied on a select few goal scorers in AFCON 2023, with only three different players finding the back of the net. This marks their lowest tally since 2008.
8. Attacking Prowess of South Africa: South Africa has showcased their attacking intent, recording six shots following high turnovers, the second-highest in the tournament. They have also displayed a penchant for direct attacks, ranking among the top teams in this regard.
9. Osimhen’s Goal Drought: Despite leading the charts for most shots attempted, Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen has struggled to convert chances, with only one goal to his name. He faces the challenge of overcoming his underperformance in front of goal.
10. Nigeria’s Offensive Prowess: Nigeria boasts the highest expected goals tally and the most big chances created in AFCON 2023, highlighting their attacking prowess and efficiency in the final third.
11. Key Player Impact: South Africa’s Themba Zwane has been instrumental, contributing to 50% of his team’s goals in AFCON 2023. He aims to emulate Shaun Bartlett’s feat by becoming the first Bafana Bafana player since 2000 to score three goals in a single edition of the tournament.

The Nigeria High Commission has issued an advisory to Nigerians in South Africa, telling them to be cautious before, during, and after the AFCON semi-final between both countries

Although the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will occur thousands of miles away in Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire, there are concerns that the result may affect Nigerians residing in South Africa.

In this light, the Nigeria High Commission in South Africa raised an alarm over threats to Nigerians in the Rainbow Nation.

Keen on their safety and well-being, the Commission has issued an advisory to Nigerians, warning them to be cautious before, during, and after Wednesday’s semi-final game.

Advisory to Nigerians in South Africa

The release issued by the High Commission in Pretoria states:

“The attention of the Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria has been drawn to potentially inflammatory online comments made by a section of South African citizens against Nigerians, largely influenced by the upcoming 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final match between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana on Wednesday, 7 February 2024.

“Most of the comments consist of veiled threats against “Nigerians cooking jollof rice” before the match and “showing pepper to Nigerians if Bafana Bafana loses to the Super Eagles,” among others.

“In this regard, the High Commission hereby advises the Nigerian community 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 the match.

“Additionally, Nigerians should maintain the good conduct they are known for and be law-abiding before, during, and after the match. Should any provocations arise, they should not be reciprocated but reported to the appropriate authorities.”

Dark past

Over the last two decades, there have been many documented incidents of violence and discrimination targeting foreigners, especially Nigerians living in South Africa.

In 2008, at least 60 Nigerians were reportedly killed and thousands displaced during widespread xenophobic attacks.

Similar outbreaks occurred in 2015 and 2019, which also led to the loss of lives and properties and the displacement of many Nigerians.

Irrespective of the result of Wednesday’s 34^th Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash with the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, Nigeria will extend her record of being the country with the most last-four appearances at the continental fiesta.

Since making her debut at the 1963 finals held in Ghana, where she was ejected in the group phase after 3-6 and 0-4 losses to United Arab Republic (Egypt) and Sudan respectively, Nigeria has been at the last-four of the tournament 15 times, and has never failed to win a medal each time.

The Eagles have gone ahead to win the trophy and gold on three occasions, won silver on four occasions and won the bronze medals eight times. They have never lost a third-place match.

On Wednesday, the three-time champions will make a 16^th appearance in the semi-finals, in what is their 20^thappearance at the competition. The only times Nigeria failed to make the semi-finals were in 1963, 1982, 2008 and 2021.

1982: As Cup holders, the Eagles led by Felix Owolabi started brightly by beating Ethiopia 3-0 in Benghazi, and led Algeria 1-0 in their second match before capitulating 2-1 to the Fennecs. They were manhandled 3-0 by Zambia in their third match and crashed out.

2008: The squad led by Joseph Yobo lost 0-1 to Cote d’Ivoire in their first match in Sekondi, but drew 0-0 with Mali and then defeated Benin Republic 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals. They led Ghana 1-0 before goals by Michael Essien and Junior Agogo toppled the advantage and sent the Eagles back home.

2021: Named the best team of the group phase, the Eagles led by Ahmed Musa defeated Egypt, Sudan and Guinea Bissau in the group phase in Garoua to earn maximum points, only to lose 0-1 to Tunisia in the Round of 16.

Below is a cursory look at all the 15 previous AFCON semi-final matches that Nigeria have been involved in:

11 March 1976: The 1976 finals in Ethiopia were played on league basis – the only tournament in the competition’s history conducted in that format. There was a final round of the competition involving Nigeria, Guinea, Morocco and Egypt. After a 1-1 draw with Guinea, what could be considered as Nigeria’s own semi-final match was against eventual champions Morocco on 11^th March 1976. The ever-prolific Baba Otu Mohammed scored for Nigeria in the 57^th minute, but the Green Eagles allowed two late goals by Ahmad Faras (elected Africa Player of the Year that year) and Redouane Guezzar. After beating Egypt 3-2 three days later, with goals from Haruna Ilerika (a brace) and Mudashiru Lawal, Nigeria (3 points) finished third in the final classification behind Morocco (5 points) and Guinea (4 points) and were awarded the bronze medals.

14 March 1978: Ahmed Abdulla Nasur put Uganda ahead at the Kumasi Sports Stadium, and Martins Eyo equalized for Nigeria in the 12 minutes into the second half. But Philip Omondi scored for Uganda late on and Nigeria were condemned to the third-place match, where they were awarded a 2-0 win after Tunisia abandoned the game in the 42^nd minute in protest at Nigeria’s equalizer by Baba Otu Mohammed. 

19 March 1980: Felix Owolabi scored the only goal against Morocco after only nine minutes at the National Stadium, Lagos. Christian Chukwu, Segun Odegbami, Adokiye Amiesimaka and Ifeanyi Onyedika all tried to add to the tally to no avail. The hosts went ahead to win the trophy after beating Algeria 3-0 in the final three days later at the same venue.

14 March 1984: In what was easily the match of the tournament, Egypt Pharaohs, beaten 1-0 by Nigeria four years earlier in a group phase match in Ibadan, raced to a two-goal lead within the half-hour. The Eagles had experienced something similar in their group phase match against Malawi, before Clement Temile restored parity. In Bouake, Stephen Keshi reduced the tally from the penalty spot, following up after the ball crashed against the bar. The captain’s inch-perfect cross in the second half was converted by Bala Ali, whose headed effort saw the ball roll past Thabet El-Batal. Nigeria won 8-7 after a penalty shootout.

23 March 1988: Nigeria went into a first-half lead in Rabat when Sam Okwaraji’s miss-cued shot was diverted into the net by Abderrazak Belgherbi. Algeria equalized with only four minutes left when Rachid Maatar headed home from a corner kick. The two teams went into a marathon penalty shootout after extra time failed to produce a winner. Ademola Adeshina and Yisa Sofoluwe missed for Nigeria, and Belgherbi and Maatar also missed for Algeria. A total of 10 players on each side had taken, including goalkeepers Peter Rufai and Nasrredine Drid. They started all over again, and after Augustine Eguavoen scored, Rufai saved from Lakhdar Belloumi. Nigeria lost the final by a solitary goal to Cameroon in Casablanca four days later.

12 March 1990: The Super Eagles defeated Zambia 2-0, with excellent goals from Uche Okechukwu and Rashidi Yekini in Annaba. In the final played four days later in Algiers, Cherif Oudjani’s long-range effort sailed past Aloysius Agu for the only goal of the match to give Algeria their first continental title.

23 Jan 1992: Regional rivals Ghana and Nigeria started like a house-on-fire in Dakar, and Mutiu Adepoju headed Thompson Oliha’s cross past Edward Ansah in the 11^th minute. Abedi Pele restored parity with his own header two minutes before half time, and Ghana won it with a fierce shot into the roof of the net by Prince Polley nine minutes into the second half. Two days later, the Eagles edged Cameroon 2-1 for the bronze medals.

6 April 1994: Michel Bassole headed Cote d’Ivoire in front after 19 minutes, but Benedict Iroha equalized after a mesmerising one-two with Jay Jay Okocha at the Stade El Menzah. Bassole scored again, and Nigeria also scored (through Rashidi Yekini) to make it 2-2 before half time. Both teams threw the kitchen sink at themselves in the second half and during extra time, but there were no more goals and it ended in a penalty shootout. Samson Siasia lost his kick but Bassole and Amani Yao also fluffed for the Elephants. Four days later at the same venue, Nigeria defeated Zambia 2-1 to win the trophy and gold.

10 Feb 2000: Banned from the 1998 finals for their failure to turn up in South Africa in 1996 to defend their title, Nigeria were brimming with vitality as co-hosts with Ghana in 2000. In the semi-finals, Coach Johannes Bonfrere unscrewed the plans of the Bafana Bafana by playing Tijani Babangida from the left side, and he caused them all sorts of problems besides scoring two first-half goals at the National Stadium, Lagos. The Eagles lost the Final to Cameroon three days later after a penalty shootout at the same venue. 

7 Feb 2002: At the Stade Modibo Keita, Bouba Diop put Senegal ahead early in the second half. Wilson Oruma failed to convert a penalty kick, but Julius Aghahowa made it 1-1 two minutes from the end. In first-half of extra time, Lassina Diao got the winner for Senegal, and the Eagles were condemned to third place. They defeated hosts Mali 1-0 in the city of Mopti two days later to win the bronze.

11 Feb 2004: The November 7 Stadium in Rades was a cauldron of noise and passion as the Eagles, who had eliminated Cup holders Cameroon in the quarter-finals, took the kick-off against the host nation. Jay Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu made life difficult for the Khaled Badri-led defence but the first half produced no goal. There were 60,000 spectators whose whistling rang out each time more than that of Beninoise referee Bonaventure Codjia Coffi. Nigeria went ahead when Okocha scored from the spot after Kanu was double-teamed in the box. Badra levelled from the spot as well eight minutes from time, after Seyi Olofinjana tripped Ziad Jaziri. In the penalty shootout, Peter Odemwingie lost his kick and Nigeria were sent to the third-place match after Karim Haggui beat Vincent Enyeama. The Eagles won the third-place match by beating Mali 2-1 back in Monastir three days later, with goals by Okocha (who would emerge the tournament’s Most Valuable Player) and Odemwingie.

7 Feb 2006: Nigeria, who had again eliminated the Cup holders (Tunisia) in the quarter-finals, survived a torrid first half at the Alexandria Stadium. In the second half, Joseph Enarkharire mis-timed his leap from a high ball and Didier Drogba sneaked in to beat Enyeama from close range. It was the only goal of the game, and the Eagles would beat Senegal by a solitary goal from Garba Lawal in Cairo to pick up the bronze medals.

28 Jan 2010: Asamoah Gyan scored the only goal of the match from a corner kick at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda. It meant the Eagles had to go back to Benguela, where they prosecuted their group phase matches, for the third- place match against Algeria, which they won with a goal by Obinna Nsofor after a sublime pass by Nwankwo Kanu.

6 Feb 2013: Nigeria had sensationally eliminated in-form Cote d’Ivoire in the quarter-finals, and arrived at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban as clear favourites against Mali. Elderson Echiejile, Brown Ideye and Emmanuel Emenike scored before half time, and Ahmed Musa added a fourth on the hour. The Eagles went ahead to defeat Burkina Faso in the final played four days later at Soccercity, the only goal scored by Sunday Mba. 

14 July 2019: Nigeria had eliminated Cup holders Cameroon in the Round of 16, and then kicked out South Africa (who eliminated hosts Egypt) in the quarter-finals. Five minutes from recess against Algeria at the Cairo International Stadium, William Ekong inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net. Odion Ighalo, who would emerge tournament top scorer, scored from the spot to level in the second half. But the Fennecs flew into the Final after Riyad Mahrez’s vicious shot from a free-kick deep in added time sailed past Daniel Akpeyi. Ighalo scored the only goal of the third-place match against Tunisia three days later to give Nigeria the bronze medals.