Nigeria vs South Africa Predictions - Super Eagles’ defence to inspire SF win

Nigeria hold an impressive 7-1 advantage over South Africa across 12 previous meetings with four draws.

Nigeria beat Bafana Bafana 2-1 in the 2019 AFCON quarter-finals when the sides last met. 

The Super Eagles created 3.52 Expected Goals in their first match of the AFCON but drew 1-1 vs Equatorial Guinea. A defensive outlook brought a 1-0 win over hosts Ivory Coast on matchday two. 

They topped the group with a 1-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau in their third fixture. The round of 16 saw a relatively straightforward 2-0 win over Cameroon.

In the quarter-finals, they dispatched Angola 1-0. They only had 1.12 xG in the win despite their galaxy of attacking talent. 

Coach Jose Peseiro will be relieved to see goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili shake off an injury to face Angola. 

Moses Simon and AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze are fighting for the right winger role. Left winger Ademola Lookman has scored three goals in his last two matches.

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Stanley Nwabili, Olorunleke Ojo

Defenders: William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Chidozie Awaziem, Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf

Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Terem Moffi, Ademola Lookman, Umar Sadiq

Bafana Bafana have reached the semi-final thanks to four clean sheets in a row. They lost 2-0 to Mali in their opener but have since been playing well. 

South African made light work of Namibia in a 4-0 win before drawing 0-0 vs Tunisia to secure second spot in the group. The last 16 saw a famous 2-0 win over Morocco even though they needed Achraf Hakimi to miss a penalty. 

The quarter-final saw their worst performance of the tournament. They drew 0-0 with Cape Verde but won on penalties as captain Ronwen Williams saved four spot-kicks. 

Coach Hugo Broos may be without injured winger Thapelo Maseko.

The Belgian coach could name an unchanged XI otherwise. 

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Veli Mothwa, Ricardo Goss 

Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie, Khuliso Mudau, Grant Kekana, Siyanda Xulu, Mothobi Mvala, Nkosinthai Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba, Terrence Mashego

Midfielders: Sphephelo Sithole, Teboho Mokoena, Thabang Monare, Jayden Adams, Themba Zwane

Forwards: Percy Tau, Thapelo Morena, Evidence Makgopa, Zakhele Lepasa, Mihlali Mayambela, Oswin Appollis, Thapelo Maseko