AFCON: SEMI-FINAL AGAINST NIGERIA WILL BE TOUGH - S'AFRICA LEGENDS

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Key players in South Africa’s lone Africa Cup of Nations victory, Neil Tovey and Mark Williams, predict that beating Nigeria in the 2024 semifinals will be “tough.”

A spot in the February 11 final is up for grabs when Bafana Bafana (The Boys) and the Super Eagles square off on Wednesday in the city of Bouake in central Ivory Coast.

Nigeria has a spotless record versus South Africa in the competition, having won three times, making them the favorites for a number of reasons.

After defeating Tunisia 4-0 in a group match in 2000, the West Africans prevailed 2-1 in a quarter-final in Egypt in 2019 thanks to a late goal from current captain William Troost-Ekong.

However, Tovey and Williams assert that South Africa, whose starting lineup consists of nine natives, one player based in Egypt, and another with a Portuguese second-division team, still has hope.

The 1996 champion team was led by central defender Tovey, while forward Williams scored twice in the space of two minutes after coming off the bench to defeat Tunisia 2-0 in the Johannesburg final.

Meanwhile, Bafana’s victory occurred one year after the Springboks emerged victorious in the Rugby World Cup, and South Africans celebrated their country’s sporting accomplishments two years following the end of apartheid.

“It is going to be very tough against Nigeria – a final before the final,” Tovey told AFP in a telephone interview from the South African port city of Durban.

“We have suffered many defeats against them, starting with a four-goal mauling in a 1994 World Cup qualifier. More recently, however, the tide has begun to turn.

– Riddled with upsets –

“What we dare not do in Bouake is retreat into a defensive shell. That would be playing into the hands of the Nigerians.

“South Africa must approach the match in a similar manner to the game against Morocco – defend in depth when necessary but also apply pressure.”

In a tournament riddled with upsets, one of the biggest was South Africa winning 2-0 against 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco in a last-16 encounter.

Tovey says he is impressed with South Africa, who have reached the Cup of Nations semi-finals for the first time since the loss to co-hosts Nigeria 24 years ago.

“They are not trying to be clever – they are well organised and perform the basics well. Every player understands his role.

“Take the crucial final group match against Tunisia, which could have eliminated Bafana had they lost. It ended 0-0, but I was impressed with our game management.”

Johannesburg-based Williams told AFP he was struck by the team spirit of South Africa, who have not conceded in four matches since losing their opener 2-0 to Mali.

“Having eight Mamelodi Sundowns players in the starting lineup helps a lot. You can see the players know each other very well.

“When you have a mix of local and foreign-based players there can be initial misunderstandings. Also, (Egypt-based) Percy Tau is a former Sundowns star.

“Make no mistake, it is not going to be easy against Nigeria. They have always had extremely skillful players and the likes of (Victor) Osimhen and (Ademola) Lookman are continuing the tradition.

“But our boys, although not as well known, are also skillful. Mentality is key – we have to walk onto the pitch believing we are going to win.”

However, both Tovey and Williams say the Ivory Coast will overcome the Democratic Republic of Congo in the later semi-final on Wednesday in Abidjan.