South Africa and Nigeria will renew their famous rivalry in African football on Thursday when they meet in the CAF U20 AFCON semi-finals.
Over the years, the two nations have become arch-rivals in both male and female football, with their matches always attracting immense attention.
ROAD TO SEMI-FINALS
Amajita secured a 1-0 triumph over the Democratic Republic of Congo in a quarterfinal on Monday to get a place in the last four.
Having qualified for the quarter-finals by finishing first in Group A after their 1-1 draw with Zambia on Friday, the South Africans faced the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Congolese had advanced as the third-placed team in Group C, with their group stage performance yielding one win from three matches.
Meanwhile, Nigeria began their campaign with a 1-0 win over Tunisia. This proved to be their only victory in open play, as their subsequent group matches ended in a 0-0 draw with Morocco and a 2-2 draw with Kenya.
They then advanced from the quarter-finals by beating Senegal 3-1 on penalties after a goalless draw.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Nigeria and South Africa are set to meet for the fourth time at the TotalEnergies CAF U20 AFCON. Across their three prior clashes, the record stands at one victory for Nigeria in open play, one win for South Africa on penalties, and one draw.
Their first encounter was the 2009 third-place playoff, a match Nigeria won 2-1. South Africa initially took the lead through George Maluleka in the 8th minute, but Ibrahim Rabiu equalized in the 15th before Frank Temile scored Nigeria's winner just before halftime.
In 2019, the two nations faced each other twice – in the group stage and the third-place playoff. Both games finished 0-0, with South Africa ultimately winning the playoff 5-3 on penalties to secure the bronze medal.
TIME, VENUE & WHERE TO WATCH
The two sides will face off at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia on Thursday, with the match kicking off at 17:00. The match will be broadcast live on CAF TV on YouTube.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
RSA – Smythe-Lowe, Timba, Smith, Nkwali, Sibiya, Maku, Kekana, April, Abrahams, Rapoo, Ah Shene
Nigeria – Harcourt, Okoro, Bameyi, Chukwu, Maigari, Alabi, Ayuma, Oliseh, Amole, Arierhi, Jephta
PREDICTION
South Africa 1-0 Nigeria
