AFCON Semis: Players to Watch out for in Eagles, Bafana Clash
By Nafisat Bello
The Super Eagles will face the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a semi final clash later today.
Both teams have been in excellent form so far, boosting arguably the best defenses in the tournament.
The winner of this game would be considered favorites to win the tournament.
Here are some key match ups to look forward to in the Nigeria vs South Africa clash:
1. Percy Tau vs Ola Aina:
South Africa’s winger Percy Tau will face Nigeria’s versatile defender Ola Aina on the left wing today,l the battle is expected to be exciting to watch with both players excellent in 1v1 situations.
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Ola Aina would be looking to keep the Bafana Bafana’s star player quiet this game.
2. Nwabali vs Williams (Goalkeepers):
Both goalkeepers have been excellent in the AFCON so far, keeping the most clean sheets in the tournament. They both have not conceded in four out of the five games they have played.
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South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, went a step further with his heroics in South Africa’s penalty shoot-out victory over Cape Verde, saving four of five penalty kicks to take them to the next round..
Both Nwabali and Williams play in the South African League PSL, so they should have a fair knowledge of each other.
3. Hugo Broos vs José Peseiro
Both managers have had to tweak their formations and tactics in this tournament, Hugo Broos after losing 2-0 to Mali in the first game and Peseiro after a drab 1-1 draw against equatorial guinea.
Hugo Broos has won the AFCON in the past (Cameroon, 2017), so this is familiar terrain, and he may want to ride on that wave. Broos has found a way to keep the defence tight and grind out wins, even against favorites Morocco in the second round.
Peseiro promised Nigeria a semi-final spot which he has now delivered. In doing that, he has also found a way to get wins by changing tactics to a 3-4-3 which puts Nigeria’s best players on the field at the same time.
4. Fans (Nigerians vs South Africans)
Nigerians will be looking for payback after South African singer, Tyla beat four Nigerian musicians to a Grammy Award for best Global music performance.
South Africans will try to compound their victories though in the much anticipated Amapiano vs Afro beats ‘battle’.
The Nation
