Cape Verde Islands vs South Africa Predictions

• Five of South Africa’s last six games have gone under 2.5 goals
• Cape Verde have lost four of their last ten outings
• South Africa have four clean sheets in their last five matches

South Africa cause upset

South Africa produced one of the biggest shocks of a tournament of shocks by knocking competition favourites Morocco out in the round of 16 and they could continue their progress with another win when they face Cape Verde.

There was no shock about Bafana Bafana’s success against the Atlas Lions, they were solid defensively and they seem to be reaping the rewards of having a squad that almost all play domestic football.

Defensive solidity has been a key aspect of the success of Hugo Broos’ side, the only two goals they have conceded at the tournament so far were in a defeat to Mali in their opening matchup and they could well eke out another victory here.

They face Cape Verde, who have been solid at the tournament but have lost four of their last ten games and could lose this battle if it is a low-scoring one. The Creoles needed a late goal to get past Mauritania in the round of 16 and could fall just short here, take South Africa in the draw no bet market.

Close affair fancied

While this has been a more high-scoring Africa Cup of Nations than usual, the knockout stages have still seen just two of the eight games go over 2.5 goals and with South Africa’s solid defence, five of their last six games have seen fewer than three goals, this looks set to be a cagey affair.

Correct score backers should side with a 1-0 win for South Africa as they look to reach the last four for the first time since 2000.