The stage is set for a thrilling AFCON semi-final clash with two tactical masterminds Hugo Broos and José Peseiro facing off on Wednesday evening.
Peseiro’s Nigeria takes on South Africa on Wednesday 7PM at the Stade La Paix in Bouaké, Ivory Coast. Interestingly, the last time Bafana Bafana reached the last four was in 2000 and they faced Nigeria. A lot is stake when the two sides meet.
The southern African nation last won this trophy 28 years ago and bringing it home would be massive for this group of players.
Out of seven final appearances, Nigeria was crowned champions on three occasions: 1980, 1994 and 2013. The Super Eagles have also finished third on eight occasions, most recently in 2019. However, it has now been over 11 years since Nigeria lifted the CAF AFCON trophy.
Realistically, this is their chance after all the big guns were sent home. Senegal, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt were all sent packing.
FARPost picks the mind of Luís Gonçalves to see how his countryman, coach José Peseiro’s Super Eagles, enter the match with cautious optimism, aware of the threat posed by a resurgent Bafana Bafana under Hugo Broos.
SOLIDITY AND BALANCE: NIGERIA’S HALLMARK
Despite boasting individual talent like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Nigeria’s success hinges on collective strength. Their preferred 3-4-3 formation prioritises balance, evident in their strong defence that conceded only once.
Full-backs, notably Zaidu Sanusi, have been crucial, providing attacking thrust while maintaining defensive security alongside the three-man central defence.
“It’s a compact and always balanced team that attacks correctly and sustainably,” Gonçalves tells FARPost. “He never neglects a counterattack, using his offensive players, Ademola Lookman, Victor Moses or Samuel Chukwueze and, of course, Victor Osimhen.
“An attack with many solutions, speed and creativity, supported by an external game with a great offensive propensity led by its full-backs, with emphasis on the left wing [Zaidu Sanusi] where defensive security is mandatory with three central players [Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey] and two more midfielders who guarantee balance and combativeness in midfield [Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi]. It is a solid team that appears confident and offensive but always balanced.”
ATTACKING OPTIONS GALORE
Nigeria’s attack is a force to be reckoned with. Victor Osimhen’s mobility and finishing, Lookman’s power and the pace of Samuel Chukwueze present a multi-faceted threat. The midfield, marshalled by Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi, ensures control and transitions smoothly into the attack.
“They rely on the best African player of 2023, Victor Osimhen, for his mobility and effectiveness. This is in addition to Ademola Lookman, who is strong and explosive, as well as Zaidu Sanusi, a very aggressive full-back who integrates very well offensively,” Gonçalves explains.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nigeria: Victor Osimhen [striker], Ademola Lookman [winger], Zaidu Sanusi [full-back]
South Africa: Themba Zwane [midfielder], Percy Tau [winger], Ronwen Williams [goalkeeper], Teboho Mokoena [midfielder]
WHAT FORMATION DOES JOSE PESEIRO PREFER?
Without a doubt, the Super Eagles will approach this game with caution and respect for their opponent. Despite having a solid team with excellent individual values, it is a semi-final and the opponent is unpredictable South Africa, which has been growing and gaining confidence.
Peseiro looks likely to employ the 3-4-3 formation. Interestingly, “Nigeria only played the first game, where they conceded the only goal so far, in 4-1-4-1,” explains the former Mozambique coach.
“From then on, they assumed a line of three central players, giving more freedom to the full-backs, who have been key in their approach to games.”
Bafana could be able to exploit the constant forays made by the Nigerian full-backs, especially on the left side.
He believes Broos’s charges should “explore the momentary imbalances in the Nigerian defence which will exist.”
NIGERIA HAVEN’T SCORED TOO MANY GOALS
The Super Eagles haven’t scored too many goals in this edition. Lookman is their top scorer, having hit the target thrice in the last two games. In the five games they have played so far, they have scored six goals and only conceded one.
On the other hand, Bafana have scored the same number. They have conceded one more than Nigeria. This promises to be an exciting encounter. Both teams converted once from the penalty spot in regulation time. Nigeria’s other goal was an own goal. South Africa’s Zwane is the top goal scorer with two strikes which came in the 4-0 thumping of Namibia.
BAFANA BAFANA A GROWING THREAT UNDER HUGO BROOS
South Africa, however, is no pushover. They’ve grown in confidence, playing as a cohesive unit. Broos will likely exploit the space left by Nigeria’s attacking full-backs, particularly on the left. Captain Ronwen Williams’ goalkeeping and the calming presence of Teboho Mokoena and Sphephelo Sithole in midfield add further steel to their resolve.
Victory over Bafana would put Nigeria within touching distance of the title. However, they must be wary of Bafana’s growing belief and tactical nous.
A close encounter is on the cards, and whichever team manages to exploit their opponent’s weaknesses while minimising their own will progress to the final.
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