Highlights: Nigeria will face South Africa in the CAN 2024 semi-final on Wednesday February 7. Nigeria only conceded one goal in its first group match against Equatorial Guinea (1-1) Since then, José Peseiro's men have been uncompromising in defense and found the net in each of their matches. South Africa are less effective in attack, have only scored in two matches (Namibia 4-0, Morocco 2-0) but have kept a clean sheet since their first match (0-2)

Nigeria, with its attacking leader Victor Osimhen, will face South Africa to try to qualify for the eighth final in its history. Bafana Bafana are counting on their collective…

CAN 2024: in the semi-final, the Nigerian ogre faces an unapologetic South Africa

Nigeria, with its attacking leader Victor Osimhen, will face South Africa to try to qualify for the eighth final in its history. Bafana Bafana are counting on their collective to beat the odds.

Victor Osimhen will be present to lead the attack of the Super Eagles of Nigeria against South Africa. AP - Sunday Alamba

By: Ndiasse Sambe Follow

From our special correspondent in Bouaké,

The force of habit versus the strength of a collective. The Nigeria-South Africa semi-final on Wednesday February 7 will feature a team accustomed to the last four at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké (5 p.m. UT) facing another which has not been invited there for 24 years. A sixteenth semi-final in 20 appearances, that's the insane statistic for Nigeria. This commands respect and shows the immense challenge that awaits

South Africa

Read also CAN 2024: Nigeria coach José Peseiro, from the exit door to within reach of the title

But if we ignore the past, the battle of Bouaké will oppose two teams who have made their defense the key to their journey in this

CAN

. “

Look at the teams that are still in competition

,” analyzes Emerse Faé, Ivory Coast coach.

Let's take Nigeria for example

: we feel, since their match against us, that they have defensive solidity and a very united team, which defends together and attacks together. This solidarity, with the individual qualities, the bloc, their team spirit, allowed them to reach the semi-finals

.”

Osimhen restored on time

Nigeria

only conceded one goal in its first group match against

Equatorial

Guinea (1-1)

. Since then, José Peseiro's men have been uncompromising in defense and found the net in each of their matches. Bafana Bafana are less effective in attack, have only scored in two matches (Namibia 4-0, Morocco 2-0) but have kept a clean sheet since their first match against Mali (0-2).

Read alsoCalendar, results and rankings of CAN 2024 matches

On Wednesday, Bafana Bafana know that they are not leaving with the favor of the forecasts, but intend to greatly increase their chances. “

We were not expected at this level of the competition,”

said Hugo Broos, the coach of the South Africans

. But we succeeded. We are going to play against one of the best teams in the tournament and it will be the same situation as in the match against Morocco. We will play without pressure. We are not afraid. We have confidence. We know that Nigeria has a good attack and good players.

Precisely, the Super Eagles were afraid of being deprived of their attacking leader Victor Osimhen, injured in the abdomen and deprived of training on Monday. But the next day, the news was reassuring: the Naples striker trained normally and he "

is fit to play the semi-final against South Africa

", according to a tweet from the Super Eagles.

*Super Eagles Camp Update*

Victor Osimhen has been declared fit and available for selection in the semi-final clash against South Africa on Wednesday. He has joined the team in Bouaké and has trained with the squad today.#SoarSuperEagles #letsdoitagain pic.twitter.com/3LfnAWz1zM

CAN 2024: in the semi-final, the Nigerian ogre faces an unapologetic South Africa

CAN 2024: in the semi-final, the Nigerian ogre faces an unapologetic South Africa

Osimhen restored on time

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