Africa Football Discussion || Current Topic: Worldcup qualifiers - CAF.

[Agbamoni]

Initially I was scared Osimhen would miss the match but now I'm a little relaxed because his presence a lone makes a huge difference. Someone that just won African Best Player should definitely be a big treat to any opponent. Lukeman is another good player that many people are looking forward to watching his magic. He has been instrumental to the successes of the Nigerian team and while most people are looking at Osimhen to do the scoring, he is actually doing the most damages unnoticed.

What issue of concern now is the treat of the South Africans to start attacking Nigerians in South Africa should the Eagles defeat the Bafana Bafana boys. South Africa have not been too nice to other Africans in their country and I hope they will strive to redeem their image this time. It is a game of sports and not war.

South African play very fast football, they will plan to unsettle the the Nigerian team in the early minutes of the game before they can settle into the game. Nigeria have to be aware of this, and also plan to start with the same momentum of the South Africans. The two teams need the win to get to the finals because they want to make history, so it is going to be a tough game with many people watching. Ivory Coast will play Dr Congo also after one team wins from South Africa and Nigeria. I see Ivory Coast as already in the final already.

If South Africa are good in fast game, then the super eagles don't need to follow them and play fast game because if they do they are running into a trap. You can't play a man that is good in his territory. The super eagles should try and slow them down. If the south African team can't play slow game then it will be difficult for them. Every team has their tempo and their playing culture. Let the eagles stick to what has been working form them so far an improve on it. This game might end up in a penalty shoot out.

I don't think the tempo of the game will be a criterion for success here in today's game between Nigerian and South Africa. Nigeria has a poor midfield and i know that if any team who have a better midfield can seize the opportunity to make good use of it, they will win the Super eagles of Nigeria. Nigerian match against Angola, Angola tried it use that midfield however they were not consistent that is why they were not successful there. South Africa on the other hand know how to make good use of any opportunity that comes there way. This is why the Nigeria team needs to be more careful to not give the SA team any chances withing their 18-yard box.

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[Die_empty]

If South Africa are good in fast game, then the super eagles don't need to follow them and play fast game because if they do they are running into a trap. You can't play a man that is good in his territory. The super eagles should try and slow them down. If the south African team can't play slow game then it will be difficult for them. Every team has their tempo and their playing culture. Let the eagles stick to what has been working form them so far an improve on it. This game might end up in a penalty shoot out.

Speed will be an advantage for the South African side but they might not be able to sustain this momentum. They might be able to put up some fast runs in the first 30 minutes, but they might become tired after this period. So if the Super Eagles can withstand this pressure at the beginning of the game, the South African team might become exposed when they get exhausted later on in the game.

I don't think the tempo of the game will be a criterion for success here in today's game between Nigerian and South Africa. Nigeria has a poor midfield and i know that if any team who have a better midfield can seize the opportunity to make good use of it, they will win the Super eagles of Nigeria. Nigerian match against Angola, Angola tried it use that midfield however they were not consistent that is why they were not successful there. South Africa on the other hand know how to make good use of any opportunity that comes there way. This is why the Nigeria team needs to be more careful to not give the SA team any chances withing their 18-yard box.

I don't think Nigeria has a poor or weak midfield. The midfield of the Super Eagles is structured to play defensively and they have been doing a great job. Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka have been steading the midfield making it very difficult for opponents to score. You might think that the defence is weak because they do not have much ball possession, however they are preventing other teams from penetrating the Nigerian defensive line. Opponents can enjoy ball possession but it will be difficult to score.

[Gozie51]

Nigeria vs South Africa
Ivory Coast vs Congo

I predict it’ll be a Nigeria vs Ivory Coast final. I think that’s what neutrals want to see, t’d be a really entertaining final.

But this edition of the African Nations Cup has big names exited. So to give the clear sense of the underdogs edition of the nations cup, Ivory coast and Nigeria need to bow out for Congo and South Africa.

Sorry I don't think you will just wish for something and then it will come to pass. I think the moment of the underdogs defeating the bigger teams has elapsed with the group and round stages now boys will be separated from men. So I don't see Nigeria losing to South. If you look at the head to head for the two teams, the Nigerian team has a better record and are doing well so far in the tournament. I can't talk about how serious the Ivorian team is but I believe Nigeria will move in for the finals.

[Zanab247]

Nigeria vs South Africa
Ivory Coast vs Congo

I predict it’ll be a Nigeria vs Ivory Coast final. I think that’s what neutrals want to see, t’d be a really entertaining final.

Nigeria will be my prediction in this game because, all their players that started this AFCON competition from the beginning to showcased some good performance for them to reach semi-final are well ready to face south Africa today which I know they will win the game with many goals to beat South Africa.

But the game between Ivory coast vs Congo will going to be a tough game that will lead to penalty shootout and ivory coast will not embrace the luck they embraced from the Senegal through penalty shootout today because, it will end for the favour of Congo to celebrate to be among the teams that qualified for final stage.

[Majestic-milf]

 There's a lot of expectations in this game between Nigeria and South Africa and there's going to be enough aggression from the South Africa side seeing as this is the first time in the history of AFCON tournament that they get to be in the semi's as the best they've been able to achieve is the quarter finals. I will not be quick to dismiss them as less of a threat because they are the sort of team to take you unawares when you least expected it.
 Even though Nigeria are thr the clear favorites for winning this game, I'd still advise that they be conscious of their defense. Will South Africa be able to make history by beating Nigeria and pushing through to the final or will Nigeria end their dreams this night, only a couple of hours will tell.

[Docnaster]

There's a lot of expectations in this game between Nigeria and South Africa and there's going to be enough aggression from the South Africa side seeing as this is the first time in the history of AFCON tournament that they get to be in the semi's as the best they've been able to achieve is the quarter finals. I will not be quick to dismiss them as less of a threat because they are the sort of team to take you unawares when you least expected it.
 Even though Nigeria are thr the clear favorites for winning this game, I'd still advise that they be conscious of their defense. Will South Africa be able to make history by beating Nigeria and pushing through to the final or will Nigeria end their dreams this night, only a couple of hours will tell.

I've been able to watch about two South Africa matches in the ongoing CAF African Cup Of Nations and I can authoritatively say that they're not just too good in terms of outfield football but or thing they're always maintained is their ability to win games even when they're not the better team on the pitch and that's why they were able to reach this stage of the competition.
Against the Super Eagles of Nigeria today, the Bafana Bafana of South Africa will be trying to make history by reaching the final of the AFCON for the first time in their history but that I don't think is ever gonna happen because the Nigeria national team are a better team that'll be playing in their full strength. I'm going for a Nigeria win

[Hewlet]

Here is the official lineup for the big encounter between the supper eagles of Nigeria and the bafana bafana of south Africa.

It's going to be one of the most interesting game in this tournament as we except big fight from both side.

Team Nija is still heading to the finals regardless.

[gabbie2010]

Nigeria vs South Africa
Ivory Coast vs Congo

I predict it’ll be a Nigeria vs Ivory Coast final. I think that’s what neutrals want to see, t’d be a really entertaining final.

Nigeria will be my prediction in this game because, all their players that started this AFCON competition from the beginning to showcased some good performance for them to reach semi-final are well ready to face south Africa today which I know they will win the game with many goals to beat South Africa.

But the game between Ivory coast vs Congo will going to be a tough game that will lead to penalty shootout and ivory coast will not embrace the luck they embraced from the Senegal through penalty shootout today because, it will end for the favour of Congo to celebrate to be among the teams that qualified for final stage.

Nigeria Super Eagle would defeat Bafana Bafana of South African, It obvious the Nigerian team has the most solid defence line in this competition and tactically play a fast counterattack style of play into their opponent territory with the pacy Osimhen spearheading their attack and some analyst believe the South Africans plays fast football which can win the match for them, however the Nigerian team knows how to calm down any fast playing tactical approach which the South Africans may wanted to adopt, meanwhile in the second match between Congo vs Ivory coast is quite a dicey match though the host country would capitalize on home advantage, however at this stage of the competition I don't think home advantage would make any difference.

[Sexylizzy2813]

There's a lot of expectations in this game between Nigeria and South Africa and there's going to be enough aggression from the South Africa side seeing as this is the first time in the history of AFCON tournament that they get to be in the semi's as the best they've been able to achieve is the quarter finals. I will not be quick to dismiss them as less of a threat because they are the sort of team to take you unawares when you least expected it.
 Even though Nigeria are thr the clear favorites for winning this game, I'd still advise that they be conscious of their defense. Will South Africa be able to make history by beating Nigeria and pushing through to the final or will Nigeria end their dreams this night, only a couple of hours will tell.

Even in our dreams Nigeria are always going to be the favorite and I hope the Super Eagles don't go into this game to underrate the Bafana Bafana boys, we all know how things turn out for teams who underrate their opponent.
Since 2000 the Bafana Bafana have never gone past the quarter finals in the AFCON, this is their first semi finals and they're going to do what ever it takes to get to the finals.
I think this is going to be a revenge match for the S/A national team because the Super Eagles knocked them out in the quarter finals in 2019 if I'm not, 2-1 was the scoreline, so I just pray we repeat the same thing again (by knocking them out) this year or should I say in the next few minutes to kick off, good luck Eagles.

[Alpha Marine]

I don't think the tempo of the game will be a criterion for success here in today's game between Nigerian and South Africa. Nigeria has a poor midfield and i know that if any team who have a better midfield can seize the opportunity to make good use of it, they will win the Super eagles of Nigeria.

The Nigerian midfield has improved a lot in recent games. It was bad the first few matches of the group stage but currently, the Nigerian midfield is very solid. Now you have wingers like Simon and Lookman supporting the midfield and allowing Iwobi to dictate the tempo of the game. Oyenka is very a good tackler and he knows how to win the ball. Then don't forget that Nigeria plays with 2 wing backs that also support the midfield. All this support in midfield affects the attack negatively and that's why Nigeria suffers in attack, but it supports the defense and that is why it has made their defense very solid. They have conceded only one goal so far.

I believe Nigeria will today's game.
South Africa will find it very hard to penetrate the midfield and defense. To make things worse for them, they don't shoot from a distance. They like to create spaces in the box before they score. It's a rival match so it's going to be difficult, but my money is on Nigeria.

[QueenVera]

You should be interested this time around and also worried. South Africans are off course one good side with a good chemistry and also having a deadly goalkeeper who caught all four penalties for em during the last game they played. The jungle gets stronger and better as we go but it'll be better not to underestimate your opponents. That's a dumpster fvxk thing to do in this Competition right now.

I hope he gets back into the squad with the same energy from previous games, amd I don't even want to believe this is a strategy so them South Africans won't plan for Victor Oshime since he's been a point man for them during the previous game.

It'll be sad to not see Osimhen start because it'll see the defenders of South Africa comfortable, and having them comfortable from the start could go on for the rest of the game. They better start with them best so those defender's would be definitely scared. I know what I say coz I do defending duties while playing football.

Interesting game it'll be, as it'll be about who scores first and defends. Nigerians should also try to score in the first half and avoid the penalty shoot out, otherwise, there'll be problem with that Southie Goalie. Lol!

Well as the tournament progresses we get to see stronger and better teams in the competition. Yes South Africa are one good side that have so many great qualities and are so determined. Yes facing a team like South Africa who’re the kings of the South will be quite difficult and yes their goal keeper is ontop of his game especially as he got the 4 penalties saved in the quater final shoot outs. I think the Super Eagles will need to have more confidence and determination than they’ve ever had.

 The news about Victor missing out was met with sad reactions especially as his strength and all will be missed in the Super Eagles team but now, he’s back with the squad and the hopes are high that they’ll be able to defeat this South Africa side. Super Eagles needs to be kore than determined and endeavor to still show their compact defense strength then be sharp while going forward then I think they’ll be smiling at the end of the day.

[Agbamoni]

I dont like the way the Nigerian team had played in the first half. Because they started the game with much energy and at the center of the game they felt relaxed which gave the South African team more confidence to play some through pass inside our 18 yard box. Another i noticed is that Osimehn claimed he is fit for the match but obviously he is not. I see how he struggles to run around finding the ball. In the previous matches he mostly come to the midfield to win some aerial balls but today he cant. Which we know he is trying to reserve his energy for more time in the game.

[Smartvirus]

It’s been an interesting watch, the duel between the Super Eagles and the Bataan Bafana of South Africa, while supper eagles might have controlled most of the game, I see them to be making a very critical error in allowing the South Africans to have those clear chances from a through ball. Though they’ve managed to defend it quite efficiently, it’s always a matter of time before the mistake comes up and South Africa isn’t the team you would hope not to take those chances when presented.
Shots for both team have been 100% on target, this tells you that they could break the barriers that are withholding them from taking those chances.

While I expect the super eagles to work on these defensive errors of not maintaining a good high line and allowing the Bafana Bafana to take advantage of them, they need to be more forward and create more chances too.

[Stepstowealth]

The news about Victor missing out was met with sad reactions especially as his strength and all will be missed in the Super Eagles team but now, he’s back with the squad and the hopes are high that they’ll be able to defeat this South Africa side. Super Eagles needs to be kore than determined and endeavor to still show their compact defense strength then be sharp while going forward then I think they’ll be smiling at the end of the day.

Victor Osimhen starts and there are not still enough midfield balls getting to him. Iwobi is the problem of this Nigerian team again as his refusal to get involved with tackles is making Nigeria lack in Midfield. South Africa's Strategy of playing long balls is working really well, and it is causing Nigeria's defence many problems. Had Nwabali not made the save, South Africa would have been a goal ahead already. Nigeria needs to play better in the second half, move the ball quicker, make better runs and tackles and show some more level of commitment to this team.

[RockBell]

There's a lot of expectations in this game between Nigeria and South Africa and there's going to be enough aggression from the South Africa side seeing as this is the first time in the history of AFCON tournament that they get to be in the semi's as the best they've been able to achieve is the quarter finals. I will not be quick to dismiss them as less of a threat because they are the sort of team to take you unawares when you least expected it.
Even though Nigeria are thr the clear favorites for winning this game, I'd still advise that they be conscious of their defense. Will South Africa be able to make history by beating Nigeria and pushing through to the final or will Nigeria end their dreams this night, only a couple of hours will tell.

If there is another word for expectation then that is the right word of what is going between Nigeria and South Africa now, the pressure is high even from the players both of them want to make there country proud and there is a lot of positivity coming from Nigeria and I love the fact that our goal keeper is doing all he can to keep the house defended. And with this been South Africans best will make everything much more difficult for Nigeria, but we will find our way out.  And Nigeria need to put at least fifty percent of their energy in both there defence and there attack and we are already seen some speculation, but I trust my country and I belive victory is ours. But that is if we don't relent. They after this game I can flag my Jessy, I wish I had South Africans here, to put them to shame

[Abu-Naim]

Victor Osimhen starts and there are not still enough midfield balls getting to him. Iwobi is the problem of this Nigerian team again as his refusal to get involved with tackles is making Nigeria lack in Midfield. South Africa's Strategy of playing long balls is working really well, and it is causing Nigeria's defence many problems. Had Nwabali not made the save, South Africa would have been a goal ahead already. Nigeria needs to play better in the second half, move the ball quicker, make better runs and tackles and show some more level of commitment to this team.

The Bafanabafana of South Africa is playing a very good game. They dominated the entire match and they have more confidence than the Super Eagles players in this match, they are doing their best to score Nigeria but the Nigerian defense is strong and has been stoping them even though the South Africa team have developed a long ball strategy to deceive the Nigerian defense. Nevertheless, I am expecting a good boast in Nigerian performance if they really wants to win this match.

[Stable090]

I dont like the way the Nigerian team had played in the first half.

Nigeria didn’t perform so well in the first half of the match, am not really satisfied with their performance, South Africa had some good chances which they were suppose to be converted to goal, but they missed all, the super eagles goal keeper really saved lots of balls that were suppose to be converted to goal by the South Africa, seriously if the super eagles really want to win the match, they have to put more effort in the second half of the match, if they can continue the same way they played in the first half, then they might end up conceding goal in the second half of the match. The second half as just started, let’s see how the match goes.

[Justbillywitt]

The news about Victor missing out was met with sad reactions especially as his strength and all will be missed in the Super Eagles team but now, he’s back with the squad and the hopes are high that they’ll be able to defeat this South Africa side. Super Eagles needs to be kore than determined and endeavor to still show their compact defense strength then be sharp while going forward then I think they’ll be smiling at the end of the day.

Victor Osimhen starts and there are not still enough midfield balls getting to him. Iwobi is the problem of this Nigerian team again as his refusal to get involved with tackles is making Nigeria lack in Midfield. South Africa's Strategy of playing long balls is working really well, and it is causing Nigeria's defence many problems. Had Nwabali not made the save, South Africa would have been a goal ahead already. Nigeria needs to play better in the second half, move the ball quicker, make better runs and tackles and show some more level of commitment to this team.

This is a semi final game that is happening. It's the best teams that are remaining in the competition so far. The Bafana Bafana are not small team so I don't expect things to go very easily with the eagles. So far it has been goales game. The eagles are doing fine for me. They just need to be clinical with any chance they get in this game. They don't have to be wasteful with goal scoring chances that comes their way.

[AYOBA]

The news about Victor missing out was met with sad reactions especially as his strength and all will be missed in the Super Eagles team but now, he’s back with the squad and the hopes are high that they’ll be able to defeat this South Africa side. Super Eagles needs to be kore than determined and endeavor to still show their compact defense strength then be sharp while going forward then I think they’ll be smiling at the end of the day.

Victor Osimhen starts and there are not still enough midfield balls getting to him. Iwobi is the problem of this Nigerian team again as his refusal to get involved with tackles is making Nigeria lack in Midfield. South Africa's Strategy of playing long balls is working really well, and it is causing Nigeria's defence many problems. Had Nwabali not made the save, South Africa would have been a goal ahead already. Nigeria needs to play better in the second half, move the ball quicker, make better runs and tackles and show some more level of commitment to this team.

This second is the right time for Nigeria to make their performance very strong, because the way they play in first half their performance was very poor and the way South Africa is playing team game with Nigeria of they no be careful they may a problem , our defenders are very strong but we are lack of midfielders, and that is why south Africa player's dominate Nigeria in first half . My only fear with the south Africa player's is that they are so good in time of shot. But Nevertheless I'm expecting a good results from Nigeria in this second half since I can that they have boast their performance this second half I'm expecting goal from them.

[Frankolala]

The news about Victor missing out was met with sad reactions especially as his strength and all will be missed in the Super Eagles team but now, he’s back with the squad and the hopes are high that they’ll be able to defeat this South Africa side. Super Eagles needs to be kore than determined and endeavor to still show their compact defense strength then be sharp while going forward then I think they’ll be smiling at the end of the day.

Victor Osimhen starts and there are not still enough midfield balls getting to him. Iwobi is the problem of this Nigerian team again as his refusal to get involved with tackles is making Nigeria lack in Midfield. South Africa's Strategy of playing long balls is working really well, and it is causing Nigeria's defence many problems. Had Nwabali not made the save, South Africa would have been a goal ahead already. Nigeria needs to play better in the second half, move the ball quicker, make better runs and tackles and show some more level of commitment to this team.

This second is the right time for Nigeria to make their performance very strong, because the way they play in first half their performance was very poor and the way South Africa is playing team game with Nigeria of they no be careful they may a problem , our defenders are very strong but we are lack of midfielders, and that is why south Africa player's dominate Nigeria in first half . My only fear with the south Africa player's is that they are so good in time of shot. But Nevertheless I'm expecting a good results from Nigeria in this second half since I can that they have boast their performance this second half I'm expecting goal from them.

Ekong has scored with a superb penalty kick on the 67th minutes. Osinmeh was brought down in the 18 yard box as he was trying to pass through four south Africa player.

Nigeria now have the better chance of winning and qualifying for the semifinals if they game ends 1-0. The super Eagles started the second half in a grand style.