Can African Powerhouses Survive AFCON 2023 Semis?
After an exhilarating quarter-final round, the semi-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations promise to be a thrilling affair. Three-time champions Nigeria will face South Africa, while hosts Ivory Coast will take on DR Congo. The matches will be broadcast live on BBC, allowing fans worldwide to witness the action unfold.
Ivory Coast, the host nation, has had a rollercoaster journey in the tournament so far. After a shaky start in the group stage, they managed to secure a spot in the knockout rounds as the best third-placed side. However, they have shown incredible resilience in their knockout matches, scoring late equalizers against Senegal and Mali. The Ivorians have relied heavily on their substitutes, with all three goals in the knockouts coming from players off the bench. Interim coach Emerse Fae acknowledges that luck may not always be on their side, but believes in the contribution of every player, including those on the bench.
DR Congo, two-time champions, have reached their second Nations Cup semi-final this century. They plan to wear black armbands to honor those affected by recent conflicts in the nation. On the pitch, their main concern has been conceding penalties, but they have made up for it with their dead-ball prowess, scoring from corners, penalties, and free-kicks. Despite not winning any of their first four games in the tournament, DR Congo has gained momentum and confidence. Coach Sebastien Desabre has built a compact and disciplined team that is yet to taste defeat.
In another exciting clash, Nigeria will face South Africa in a repeat of the 2000 Nations Cup semi-final. Nigeria has dominated their meetings at Afcon, winning all three encounters. They have been impressive both in attack and defense, winning their last four games without conceding a goal. With a solid midfield platform provided by Frank Onyeka, the Nigerian forwards, such as Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon, have been able to shine. Victor Osimhen, the reigning African Footballer of the Year, has displayed exceptional leadership and hunger, despite scoring only once.
South Africa, on the other hand, has surprised many with their progress in the tournament. Led by experienced coach Hugo Broos, who guided Cameroon to an unexpected triumph in 2017, South Africa has relied on the core of players from Mamelodi Sundowns. Eight players from the Sundowns, who won last year’s African Football League and reached the Champions League semi-finals, started in their quarter-final match. Broos understands the synergy and teamwork of these players and has built a cohesive unit. Although they have achieved four straight clean sheets, South Africa’s performance against Cape Verde was their worst in the finals so far. Fatigue may be a concern, as Broos has fielded an unchanged lineup since the second game.
The semi-finals promise to be intense battles between some of Africa’s football powerhouses. Viewers in the UK can catch all the action live on BBC Two and BBC Three, as well as through the BBC World Service for radio commentary. The stage is set for thrilling encounters that will determine who will make it to the final and have a chance at lifting the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations trophy.