Nigeria
The Super Eagles stand as the most experienced team at this stage. Making their 16th appearance in a TotalEnergies CAF AFCON semi-final, Nigeria aim for one thing – securing a spot in the final. Despite entering the tournament as favorites, Nigeria faced challenges, notably with a drawn match against Equatorial Guinea. While the focus was on their attacking prowess, the defence proved resilient, conceding only one goal.
Boasting of a a strong and quite mobile defence José Peseiro’s men are the only team to reach the semi-final without playing extra time, and have let in only one goal through this extremely tight rear guard. However, though they get the job done at the end of the da day, but fronting the great scorers in their clubsides like Victor Osimeh, Chukwuezi, Lookman and others, their goal record in this tornament has been a little under the fans expectations. Yes, the undits insists that what is important is the victory at the end of the day.
DR Congo
Anticipation met reality as the Democratic Republic of Congo secured its first victory in the CAF TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Ivory Coast 2023. Facing Guinea in the quarterfinals, the Leopards displayed strength, overcoming an early goal by the Syli National to win 3-1. This victory marks the fifth time in the history of DR Congo that they have reached the semi-finals of the Cup of Nations.
Key Stat: Whenever DR Congo won the CAN in 1968 and 1974, they eliminated the host country in the semi-final. In 1968, they beat Ethiopia 2-3 after extra time, and in 1974, Egypt fell by the same scoreline.
Côte d’Ivoire
January 22, 2024, witnessed the Elephants making headlines globally. Almost eliminated after a 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea, they bounced back, eliminating the reigning African champions, Senegal. In a dramatic victory against Mali, Oumar Diakité’s last-minute goal secured their place in the semi-finals. In their ninth semi-final appearance, Côte d’Ivoire faces DR Congo, setting the stage for a rematch of the 2015 semi-final where the Elephants emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.
If surprises or unknown do exist in football, this team has given proof to it. Their knack for las minute or even last second decisive goals and evetual victories against odds has obviously set any other team in this final four at attention or at unease concerning these hosts of this years tornament. Côte d’Ivoire won their first Cup of Nations match in extra time since the 1992 quarterfinals, which they eventually won.
South Africa
Bafana Bafana returns to the pinnacle, ending a 24-year absence from the Cup of Nations semi-finals. The South Africans impressed, eliminating Morocco, a World Cup semi-finalist, and then adding Cape Verde, previously unbeaten. Their journey continues in the semi-finals, where they face familiar foes.
In their last semi-final appearance, South Africa suffered a 2-0 loss to Nigeria in 2000. Though seeming the runt of the ladder in this final four, but the way this team has fought and clawed to this position now, any team that takes them for granted will be in for a big and rude shock. The word resilence comes to mind while assessing this Bafana Bafana – The Boys The boys team.
