The goal scoring rate might have tapered off at AFCON 2023, slipping from 2.47 per game in the Group Stage to 2.0 in the Knock-Out Rounds, yet the tournament remains ripe with drama. In the Quarter-finals, DR Congo pulled off a surprising 3-1 win over Guinea, while a 10-man Ivory Coast rallied from behind to defeat Mali with goals in the 90th and 122nd minute, in a match marked by 3 red cards. Also, none of the 6 group winners advanced to the final four, underscoring the age-old adage of knockout tournaments: it’s not about how you start, but how you finish. Ahead of the semi-finals, let’s delve into our football prediction and preview what is to be expected.
**Nigeria vs. South Africa** This matchup is steeped in rivalry and its significance cannot be overstated. Nigeria and South Africa have long contended for dominance, and Wednesday will witness another chapter unfold in this rivalry. South Africa clinched their sole AFCON title on home turf back in 1996, a victory shadowed by Nigeria’s withdrawal because of political reasons. Many argue that had the Nigeria national football team participated, they would have defended their title successfully. This rivalry transcends the football pitch; in entertainment, these nations have frequently clashed. Debates over supremacy in the movie and music industries have been ongoing for a while. On a light note, Tyla’s triumph over Burna Boy and Davido at the 2024 Grammys has only stoked the flames of the South Africa-Nigeria rivalry. Needless to say, the outcome of this match will grant significant bragging rights to the victor. **Head-To-Head** This match marks the fourth encounter between both countries in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, with the Super Eagles winning the previous three by an aggregate score of 8-1. Their last clash in the AFCON semi-finals dates back to 2000 which Nigeria won 2-0, courtesy of a brace from Tijani Babangida. However, their most recent meeting in the tournament came in the 2019 Quarter-final, where goals from **Samuel Chukwueze and William Troost-Ekong** secured a 2-1 victory for the Super Eagles. ● Meetings Between Both Sides - 14 ● Nigeria Wins - 7 ● South Africa Wins - 2 ● Draws - 5 **What To Expect** It’s probable that this match will see fewer goals than the other semi-final, given that both teams boast the strongest defences, having each kept 4 straight clean-sheets coming into this game. Nigeria’s one goal conceded in the opening game against Equatorial Guinea is the only goal they’ve conceded in this tournament and, similarly, South Africa’s 2-0 loss to Mali in their opening game featured the only two goals they’ve let in. Despite their similar defensive strengths, both teams have been constructed on distinct ideologies that have proven effective. For South Africa, team chemistry stands as their guiding principle. Composed predominantly of players from the SPL, with 10 of them representing Mamelodi Sundowns, a team that has won 7 consecutive league titles, it’s clear how this cohesion has facilitated seamless execution of game plans throughout the tournament. Particularly noteworthy are midfielder Themba Zwane and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, both of whom play for, you guessed it, Mamelodi Sundowns. Zwane has directly contributed to 50% (3 of 6) of South Africa’s goals at AFCON 2023, with two goals and one assist, potentially aiming to match Shaun Bartlett’s 2000 record of three goals in a single AFCON edition. For captain Ronwen Williams, his penalty-shootout heroics in the Quarter-Final were outstanding as he went the right way for all 5 Cape Verde penalties, saving a tournament record 4. Speculations abound South Africa might opt for a strategy to play for a draw, leveraging Williams’ penalty-stopping ability for an advantage in a shoot-out. Unlike South Africa, the Super Eagles don’t have a player from the Nigeria Professional Football League. Instead, it has a squad built around the exceptional talents of its players, many of whom are among the continent’s finest performing at the highest echelons of European football. The Nigerian players have consistently delivered when the team needed them most. Standout performers include Ademola Lookman and Ola Aina. Lookman has been instrumental, netting all three of Nigeria’s goals in the knockout stages, marking him as one to keep an eye on in this crucial match. Meanwhile, Aina has arguably been the best defender of the tournament, offering defensive solidity to Nigeria’s back line while also providing crucial support to the team’s attack. Though he has been impactful in other areas of the game, the biggest let down for the Super Eagles and members of the online betting community has been Victor Osimhen whose goals have dried up. Despite registering the most attempts on goal (19) at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Osimhen has only scored once, resulting in a shot conversion rate of 5.3%. His expected goals (xG) stands at 3.09, showing a significant underperformance (-2.09). **Betting Tips:**
**Ivory Coast vs. DR Congo** Ever seen those horror flicks where the antagonist just won’t kick the bucket despite being pelted with stones, shot, stabbed, cut in half with a chainsaw and even set ablaze? Well, Ivory Coast resembles that resilient character, except they’re the heroes, not the baddies—at least in the eyes of their fans. They finished 3rd in Group A and had to wait until the final matchday to confirm their qualification for the knockout stage, fired their Head Coach, Jean-Louis Gasset, they’ve had two penalties awarded against them and they have received two red cards. Yet, here they are, battling it out for what could be their 3rd AFCON title. On the flip side, DR Congo has been the ultimate underdog, defying expectations in terms of their stature. Few would have predicted their advancement from Group F, but they’ve done so and have now eliminated Egypt and Guinea. Echoing Ivory Coast’s ambitions, DR Congo is aiming for a 3rd AFCON title, previously achieving this feat as Congo-Kinshasa in 1968 and as Zaire in 1974. **Head-To-Head** This match will mark the sixth encounter between Ivory Coast and DR Congo in the AFCON. While four of their previous five meetings came in the group stage, they clashed in the 2015 semi-finals, with Ivory Coast winning 3-1, courtesy of goals from Yaya Touré, Gervinho, and Wilfried Kanon. This triumph propelled Ivory Coast to ultimately clinch the title in that edition. In more recent encounters, the Elephants secured a 3-1 friendly victory over DR Congo in October 2019, followed by a goalless draw during the group stage of the 2022 CAF African Nations Championship in January 2023. ● Meetings Between Both Sides - 15 ● Ivory Coast Wins - 6 ● DR Congo Wins - 4 ● Draws - 5 **What To Expect** Certainly, anticipation for drama is high. In their distinct fashion, both teams have defied all preconceived notions, shredding every preview and prediction to pieces, opting instead to script their own narratives. Amidst this unpredictable backdrop, a few names stand out ahead of this crucial encounter. First is DR Congo’s Yoane Wissa. The Brentford midfielder has been instrumental, finding the net twice out of DR Congo’s five goals in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, notably scoring against Zambia and Guinea. If he finds the back of the net in this match, Wissa could join an exclusive club as only the fourth player to score in three separate games in a single AFCON for the Leopards. Ivory Coast’s Seko Fofana is also one to monitor. The Al-Nassr player has been the heart and soul of his country’s campaign, having scored the opening goal of the tournament. It was his last-ditch effort on goal against Mali that got redirected by Oumar Diakité, and given his versatility on the pitch, he remains an invaluable member of this team. As we reflect on the upcoming match, we echo the sentiments expressed in [our quarter-final preview](https://m.betking.com/blog/betting-tips/afcon-2023-quarter-final-betting-preview/) : **“momentum is very important in cup competitions and right now, Ivory Coast have that. Considering the added factor of home advantage, it is challenging to justify betting against them.”** **Betting Tips:**
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