Nigeria vs South Africa Predictions

• Nigeria have led at HT in four of their five games at AFCON 2023, including both their knockout games
• South Africa have failed to score in three of their five matches at the tournament and four of five first halves
• Nigeria have enjoyed three 1-0 wins in their last four games

Super Eagles can make early inroads against Bafana Bafana

Nigeria can strike early and decisively in their Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash with South Africa on Wednesday.

The Super Eagles have gained momentum throughout the tournament and reached the last four thanks to a first-half strike from Ademola Lookman against Angola in the quarter-final.

Jose Peseiro’s side seem equally adept at playing possession football or hitting on the counter-attack – as they did for the only goal last weekend.

South Africa, meanwhile, lack a cutting edge – as has been demonstrated in three of their five tournament matches where they have failed to score. They have relied on high-energy, last-ditch defending and some brilliance from goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to reach the semi-finals, but their run should come to an end here.

Osimhen has the class to beat in-form keeper

Nigeria should get the job done inside 90 minutes as long as Williams does not have the game of his life, but it should be worth backing the 2013 champions to lead at both half-time and full-time in Bouake.

The Super Eagles have been sharp from the get-go in their two knockout games to date, leading at the break in both before seeing off Cameroon and Angola.

Victor Osimhen, who tested the keeper with a firm header in the quarter-final but has not scored since their opening game, is due a goal and still boasts a record of 11 strikes in his last 12 appearances for Nigeria.