AFCON Semifinal: Nigeria vs South Africa Betting Odds
South Africa in Semifinal for First Time Since 2000
Nigeria Dominating Defensively
We’re down to the last four teams at the Africa Cup of Nations and the first Semifinal features Nigeria and South Africa. The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been stellar defensively during the course of the tournament and they enter Wednesday’s match on a four-game winning streak.
Meanwhile, South Africa pulled off a big upset over Morocco in the Round of 16 and Bafana Bafana defeated Cape Verde in penalties in the Quarter-Final. In South Africa’s first Semifinal appearance in 24 years, we’ll check out the Nigeria vs South Africa betting odds.
⚽ Nigeria vs South Africa ⚽
Day/Time:
Location: Stade de la Paix, Bouake, Ivory Coast
Streaming: Watch Live Sports
Head-to-Head
Nigeria and South Africa last met in 2019, at the Africa Cup of Nations Quarter-final. The Nigeria vs South Africa betting odds priced Nigeria at even odds to win the match and the Super Eagles came away with a 2-1 win as Samuel Chukwueze and William Troost-Ekong scored.
These teams also met in AFCON qualifiers in 2017 and 2018 and Nigeria lost and drew vs South Africa. Nigeria have lost just one of their last nine matches vs South Africa. At the AFCON finals, South Africa are 0-3 all-time vs Nigeria.
Nigeria Go For Five Straight
Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman combined for the game’s only goal when Nigeria defeated Angola in the Quarter-Final. Simon found Lookman on a low cross, who buried a left-footed shot to give Nigeria the lead in the first half.
Nigeria held on in the second half, although Angola got close to scoring and equalizing. Angola hit the post and Nigeria keeper Stanley Nwabali was ready when called into action.
Nwabali has now kept clean sheets in four straight matches and he’s been a key part of Nigeria’s success. Defender William Troost-Ekong was pivotal vs Angola and he’s spearheaded a backline that has conceded just once in five matches.
Nigeria have now won their last four games in the competition and the AFCON odds price the Super Eagles as +110 favorites to take home the trophy.
The three-time champions last won AFCON in 2013 and this is one of the most talented squads they’ve had in quite some time. Strikers Kelechi Iheanacho and Terem Moffi haven’t been able to get off the bench at the tournament.
Still, African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen hasn’t scored since the Super Eagles’ first game. He had some big opportunities vs Angola but his pressing has been key for Nigeria.
Williams Saves South Africa
South Africa have also kept four straight clean sheets and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has been superb during the tournament. He is tied with Nigeria’s Nwabali for most clean sheets at AFCON thus far. Last Saturday, South Africa took on Cape Verde in the Quarter-Final and the match finished scoreless after 120 minutes.
Williams made some key saves during the match and he became the hero in the penalty kick shootout. The South African goalie saved four shots and Mothobi Mvala scored the winning kick for Bafana Bafana.
Although South Africa have won just two of their five matches, in 90 minutes, they’re on to the Semis for the first time since 2000.
South Africa have already upset 2022 World Cup Semifinalist’s’ Morocco and won’t be afraid of the challenge here. So far, South Africa’s matches have averaged just two goals per game during the tournament but they’ve put together a +4 goal difference thus far. The over/under goal total here could be a popular choice for soccer betting.
Match Analysis & Odds
As the two best defenses at the Africa Cup of Nations face off, under two goals come in at -120 odds. Just one goal could win this one and Nigeria are the more likely side to reach the final. The Super Eagles head into Wednesday’s match as -165 favorites and Nigeria -0.5, -1 sits at -125 odds at the moment.
Don’t expect South Africa to make anything easy for Nigeria in this one. Bafana Bafana shut out Morocco and they haven’t conceded more than two goals in a match vs Nigeria since 2004. South Africa, coming off their penalty shootout victory, are +580 underdogs and South Africa +0.5, +1 is priced at -105.
Even if they’re not able to win in normal time, and a draw comes in at +255, Nigeria to qualify for the final sits at -400 odds. Meanwhile, bettors may consider South Africa to go through at +300.
South Africa haven’t reached the final since 1998 but they are 2-1 all-time in AFCON Semifinals. Nigeria have been to seven finals in their history and they’ll be going for a fifth straight win on Wednesday.
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