24 years after Nigeria Super Eagles set to clash with South Africa Bafana Bafana in epic AFCON semi-final

Twenty-four years after Tijani Babangida’s decisive goals, Nigeria and South Africa will meet in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final.

Nigeria secured their place in the semi-final by defeating Angola 1-0, while South Africa advanced after a penalty shoot-out victory against Cape Verde.

The upcoming match will determine one of the finalists for this year’s AFCON.

In 2000 at the National Stadium Lagos, Nigeria celebrate defeat of South Africa. Will history repeat itself at this AFCON?

Both teams have a history of encounters in the tournament, with Nigeria having triumphed in all their previous AFCON meetings.

In Tunisia 2004, Nigeria saw off Bafana Bafana 4-0 in the group stage, while their last AFCON meeting was in 2019 in the quarter-finals when Egypt hosted. Samuel Chukwueze and Troost-Ekong’s goals helped Nigeria to a 2-1 win.

The other semi-final will be contested between Ivory Coast and DR Congo.