ANALYSIS
CAN 2024: Nigeria-South Africa, Ivory Coast-DRC... what you need to know about the semi-finals
The final four of this Ivorian African Cup of Nations pits four former winners with very diverse profiles against each other. The experienced Nigeria against the South African returnees, the miraculous Ivory Coast against a transformed Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)… Focus on the semi-finalists of this CAN 2024.
Nigeria will face South Africa, and Ivory Coast will face the DRC in the semi-finals of CAN 2024. © ISSOUF SANOGO - AFP / FRANCK FIFE - AFP / ISSOUF SANOGO - AFP / SIA KAMBOU - AFP / RFI mounting
By: Nicolas Bamba Follow
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From our special correspondent in Abidjan,
Nigeria, a unique experience at the highest level
The Super Eagles
are, by far, the most accustomed to such heights. This
CAN 2024
represents Nigeria's 20th participation in the continental tournament. And its consistency is impressive: the national selection is in the last four for the 15th time. The figures are strong, very strong even. When it qualifies for a CAN, Nigeria reaches at least the semi-finals 75% of the time!
This expertise, the efficiency and above all the solidity of the Nigerians, who have conceded only one goal in five matches since the start of the competition (against Equatorial Guinea in the first round), have granted José Peseiro's men the status as natural favorites for final victory. We still have to overcome the pitfall of the semi-finals… Eight times out of 15, things stuck for Nigeria. Moreover, the Super Eagles may well be the team on the podium the most times, but they are only fourth in the ranking of the most successful, behind Egypt, Cameroon and Ghana.
South Africa, the comeback of an outsider
Led in particular by
Hugo Broos
, the coach who already won the CAN in 2017 at the head of Cameroon (the only former winner among the four semi-finalist coaches), and by
Ronwen Williams, the goalkeeper specializing in penalties
, the South -Africans are enjoying a return to prominence this year. After four prosperous years at the end of the last century – African champion in 1996, vice-champion in 1998, third in 2000 – South Africa had since fallen back into line, doing little better than the quarter-finals. . Twenty-four years later, the wheel is finally turning.
To reach a new final, Bafana Bafana will have to be solid and gain the upper hand against an opponent who is not very successful. In 13 confrontations, South Africa has only won twice (and never in the final phase of a competition), compared to seven Nigerian victories. The last face-to-face dates back to CAN 2019 with a quarter-final won in the last moments by the Super Eagles (2-1).
Read alsoCalendar, results and rankings of CAN 2024 matches
Ivory Coast, the permanent miracle
And to think that barely two weeks ago, the sky fell on the heads of the Elephants with this huge slap received against Equatorial Guinea (0-4) and a qualification for the round of 16 in the hands of other teams... Since then, Ivory Coast has thanked Jean-Louis Gasset, replaced by
Emerse Faé
as coach. She qualified at the last minute among the best third-place finishers. And she knocked over everything in her path. Senegal, reigning champion? Caught on the wire, then
scalped on penalties in the round of 16
. Mali, in numerical superiority for a very large part of the quarter-final? Also resumed in the final moments, then
defeated at the end of overtime
.
“
We’re worthless, but we’re qualified
!”
», we chant with a smile throughout the country, without forgetting of course the hit of the moment,
Coup du hammer
. The Ivory Coast, back from hell, is not imperial but it conveys
1000 emotions to its supporters
. Carried by popular momentum and newfound mental strength, the Elephants are back in the final four for the first time since their last coronation, in 2015. How far can they go like this? Knowing that they will be deprived of Odilon Kossounou, Oumar Diakité, Serge Aurier and Christian Kouamé, all suspended for this half.
The DRC, united for a dream
“
A year ago, everyone made fun of us. And today we are in the semi-final. As Chancel (Mbemba) said, it is the justice of God
!
» When commenting on his team's deserved qualification for the semi-finals against Guinea, winger Théo Bongonda did not forget where the DRC comes from. The metamorphosis is undeniable, between the selection which had a bad start to its CAN qualifiers and the one which no longer makes anyone laugh. In the meantime, Sébastien Desabre took charge of it and gave it a new lease of life and an impeccable state of mind.
The Leopards advance in groups
, concentrated and determined. The Moroccan favorites, the tough Egyptians and the courageous Guineans all paid the price.
And this is how the Congolese are back in the last four of a CAN, like in 2015 in Equatorial Guinea. Nine years ago, their dream of reaching the final – which has not happened to them since 1974 – was shattered against… Ivory Coast, future African champion. Obviously, the Leopards would be delighted to take their revenge against the Elephants in their lair of Ébimpé. All the ingredients for an intense semi-final are there.
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