Nigeria hope to take the next step towards a return to continental prominence as they meet South Africa in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinals.
The Super Eagles are searching for their first tournament title since 2013, having fallen from the African elite in the time since.
It’s opened up for them in the bracket, with a significant number of highly-ranked sides eliminated earlier than expected. Only hosts Ivory Coast remain in contention amongst those originally expected to contend for the trophy, with South Africa and DR Congo also alive.
Bafana Bafana have been at the heart of the chaos, bouncing Tunisia and Morocco from the competition in prior rounds, before eliminating surprise contenders Cape Verde in the quarterfinals.
The Sporting News is following the Nigeria vs. South Africa match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen. Check back here for regular updates.
MORE: African Cup of Nations full schedule and results
Nigeria vs. South Africa live score
Score (2H) Goalscorers Nigeria 1 Troost-Ekong (65′) South Africa 0 –
Kickoff: 5 p.m. local (12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT)
Location: Stade de la Paix Stadium (Bouake, Ivory Coast)
Referee: Amin Omar (EGY)
Starting lineups:
Nigeria (3-4-3, right to left): 23. Nwabali (GK) — 6. Ajayi, 5. Troost-Ekong, 21. Bassey — 12. Osayi-Samuel, 8. Onyeka, 17. Iwobi (Yusuf, 62′), 6. Aina — 15. Simon (Chukwueze, 62′), 9. Osimhen, 18. Lookman.
South Africa (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. R. Williams (GK) — 20. Muadu, 18. Kekana, 5. Xulu, 14. Mvala — 4. Mokoena, 13. Sithole — 6. Modeba, 11. Zwane, 10. Tau — 9. Makgopa.
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Nigeria vs. South Africa live updates, highlights, commentary
Nigeria vs. South Africa: Second Half
64th min: PENALTY, NIGERIA! Victor Osimhen wins a penalty on the edge of the 18-yard box, and the Super Eagles have a chance to take the lead! He produces a series of beautiful ball skills that draws four South African defenders, and Mothobi Mvala lunges in but only tumbles Osimhen to the ground.
It’s a moronic challenge as Osimhen was hemmed in out wide and had nowhere but vertical to go, and did not need to step in so rashly.
Stepping up to the spot is the captain William Troost-Ekong, and against Bafana Bafana hero Ronwen Williams…GOAL! NIGERIA! Williams saved four efforts against Cape Verde in the shootout, but he is second-best here, as Troost-Ekong goes straight down the middle, and the goalkeeper can only watch helplessly as he dives to his left.
Watch in USA:
NIGERIA CON UN PIE EN LA FINAL 🤩
El CAPITÁN William Ekong COBRÁ de forma EFECTIVA su penal y adelanta a su país en el partido 🔥
Nigeria 🇳🇬 vs Sudáfrica 🇿🇦 EN VIVO ahora en #beINSPORTS 📺#NGRRSA pic.twitter.com/PuPNwsO2J7
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) February 7, 2024
Watch in UK:
STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE 🎯
A penalty from William Troost-Ekong puts Nigeria in front in the semi-final! 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/jZB9odeTuk
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 7, 2024
62nd min: Nigeria have another effort go begging, as Alex Iwobi sets up Frank Onyeka for a shot from distance, but the Brentford midfielder rushes it, hitting it first-time instead of taking a touch to settle, and he lashes it miles wide, nowhere close.
Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro smells blood in the water, and makes a pair of attacking changes, withdrawing Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi and bringing on Samuel Chukwueze and Alhassan Yusuf. Bringing Chukwueze on for Simon makes sense, as the latter was not terribly involved up front, but withdrawing Iwobi is highly questionable, as the Fulham midfielder has been exceptional all tournament, including today.
57th min: Another header for Victor Osimhen goes wide of the net! He leaps high enough to connect with another cross from deep, but he’s put under enough pressure by a defender that he can’t quite get the right contact. The Super Eagles have come out of halftime with real intent!
50th min: Nigeria have put South Africa under real pressure to start the half, they are pummeling the penalty area with crosses and set-piece deliveries, but to no joy so far, as Bafana Bafana continually reject their advances.
Kickoff: They’re under way after the break! No substitutions for either side, as both head coaches keep the faith in their starters.
HALFTIME: Nigeria 0-0 South Africa
A pulsating first half saw both goalkeepers involved, and both stood tall to the opposing forwards.
South Africa will be far more pleased with their opportunities, creating multiple dangerous chances on the break and only kept out by a poor Percy Tau finish and one sensational save by Stanley Nwabali.
Nigeria struggled to generate opportunities despite a strong possessional dominance, but they did have a few moments of quality. The final 45 minutes will be thrilling, it feels like.
Some Percy poses from the first half! Nigeria 🇳🇬 vs South Africa 🇿🇦 #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 #AFCON2023 #BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/n0UDkO379x
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) February 7, 2024
Nigeria vs. South Africa: First Half
45th min: Chance, Nigeria! Victor Osimhen fires wide of the far post! Ademola Lookman carried the ball into the area and crosses to Osimhen whose header is put off target. That’s a big chance!
Two minutes of added time are shown.
39th min: Chance, South Africa! WHAT A SAVE BY STANLEY NWABALI! He dives full-stretch to his left for a one-handed stop from Evidence Makgopa’s effort! It’s a well-struck ball from straight-on, bending away from the Nigerian goalkeeper, but he launches his body within range for the save. We expected a goalkeeper battle, and we’re getting one!
37th min: Chance, Nigeria! Alex Iwobi goes for the spectacular from distance, and he puts the effort on target, but it’s elementary for Ronwen Williams who goes down one knee to make the low stop. Victor Osimhen is animated at the top of the six-yard box, frustrated that Iwobi didn’t instead feed him for the chance as the Napoli striker was isolated with one defender on the doorstep.
35th min: Oh no, Percy Tau has botched another breakaway chance! He’s free on goal from midfield after a gift from Bright Osayi-Samuel, but a heavy touch as he enters the penalty area betrays him and the ball rolls harmlessly to Stanley Nwabali. It’s another chance gone begging for the Bafana Bafana vet!
32nd min: There’s a cooling break, and the juxtiposition of the two coaches is stark. Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro is extremely animated as he barks instructions to his squad, while South Africa boss Hugo Broos is measured in his approach. The latter will probably be pleased with the proceedings to this point.
29th min: Chance, South Africa! PERCY TAU SCUFFS A GLORIOUS CHANCE TO GO IN FRONT! The best chance yet falls to the South African veteran who you’d expect to finish that off, but with the entire goal to shoot at, he picks out a horrible effort and sends a weak slow-roller right at Stanley Nwabali. What a missed opportunity!
27th min: South Africa have two dangerous counter-attacks in two minutes, but both are cut out by a pair of exceptional sliding challenges by Semi Ajayi and Frank Onyeka who block crosses before they can reach Bafana Bafana forwards running free on goal. Heroic!
24th min: Nigeria have a free-kick taken by Ademola Lookman, but as he tries to feed it to the face of goal, the ball is snatched by Ronwen Williams before Semi Ajayi can get his head to it.
15th min: Chance, South Africa! Bafana Bafana are flowing on the counter through Percy Tau, but Sphephelo Sithole’s finish is poor, hit right at Stanley Nwabali who has no difficulties collecting the ball. A seeker to either corner would have been the opener, so that’s a disappointing end product.
14th min: The Super Eagles create another chance as Ola Aina’s delivery to the far post was extremely dangerous, but Ronwen Williams does brilliantly to launch himself into the mix and punch the chance away. He pummels William Troost-Ekong in the process, and the Nigerian defender is slow to his feet, but continues without treatment.
9th min: Nigeria have been on the front foot from the opening whistle, but haven’t yet created any good chances outside of the initial one for Osimhen seconds into the game. Alex Iwobi looked to find a number of individuals who were in space up front but can’t execute his entry pass across the pitch laterally.
1st min: Wow, a turn of events just 40 seconds into the match. Victor Osimhen had a good chance to get on the scoresheet less than a minute in, but as he settles the ball off his chest, it gets away from him.
As the chance evaporates, he goes down clutching his stomach, in clear pain and needing treatment. Osimhen was a doubt through the week with an abdominal injury, and it’s clearly bothering him here. He continues for now, but that will be one to watch. Hard to imagine he could go 90 or 120 minutes if he’s carrying an injury of such significance.
Kickoff: They’re under way at in the AFCON semifinals! The first finalist will be decided today, while one hopeful will fall just short.
There’s a lot of conversation around the optics of this match, with a perceived political and cultural rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa. Most recently, South African singer Tyla won a Grammy over Davido of Nigeria in the global category, which has increased tensions between the two sides. Over the next 90 minutes, another notch in that clash will be awarded!
National anthems in Bouake!
🇳🇬 vs 🇿🇦 #AFCON2023 #CAN2023 pic.twitter.com/fKhhV1lBDZ
— Oluwashina Okeleji (@oluwashina) February 7, 2024
Nigeria vs. South Africa: Pre-match commentary, analysis, stats, and more
15 mins to kickoff: South Africa know what’s at stake, but they’re in high spirits despite their status as clear underdogs against established African power Nigeria. Kickoff is in mere minutes, with a spot in the final on the line!
This road travelled, with this family unit, for this quest has not only been for us. It’s for our country, our families and the 62 million who like we, BELIEVE! Thank you South Africa 🇿🇦 for the ❤️ #semifinal #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 #AfCON2023 #BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/fR1CBfM3IK
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) February 7, 2024
30 mins to kickoff: Stanley Nwabali isn’t the only in-form goalkeeper to take part in this match. His counterpart, Ronwen Williams of South Africa, has been sensational at the Africa Cup of Nations as well. He has four clean sheets to his name this competition, tied with Nwabali for the tournament lead and the most for any South African goalkeeper at AFCON ever, tied with Andre Arendse in 1996 who led Bafana Bafana to the title on home soil.
𝗕𝗔𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗔 𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧
Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams is confident that South Africa is ready to battle for the #AFCON2023 final spot when they take on rivals Nigeria this evening. #FARPost#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/TpIm6PmUY0
— FARPost_ZA (@FARPostZA) February 7, 2024
45 mins to kickoff: The South Africa lineup is in, and they also make just one change, as Thapelo Morena comes out, replaced by central defender Siyanda Xulu in a defensive swap. It moves either Mothobi Mvala or Gomolemo Kekana out to full-back, and one of the wide defenders is pushed up into a more attacking role.
4 – South Africa are playing in their fourth semi-final at the @caf_online Africa Cup of Nations and their first since 2000 when they were eliminated by today’s opponents Nigeria (2-0). The Bafana Bafana are hoping to reach their first AFCON final since 1998 (lost 2-0 against… pic.twitter.com/5DdEe8wjCI
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 7, 2024
1 hour to kickoff: This is a special matchup for Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who plays for South African club Chippa United. He even has the support of Chippa United chairman Siviwe Chippa Mpengesi, who publicly declared he was backing Nigeria against his own country in this match!
Nwabali has a chance to secure himself as the frontrunner for the Best Goalkeeper award at this tournament. He has kept four straight clean sheets, the first Nigerian to do so at a major tournament since Best Ogedegbe way back in 1980.
🌶️🔥
5 games ✅
4 clean sheets ✅
AFCON Semi Finals ✅
His name is @NwabaliBobo 🇳🇬#AFCON2023 #Nigeria
— Chippa United FC (@ChippaUnitedFC) February 3, 2024
1 hour 15 mins to kick: Victor Osimhen has just one goal for Nigeria this tournament, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been involved up front. He had four shots last time out against Angola, but struggled to finish his chances. If he can find his shooting boots today, South Africa could be in trouble.
Osimhen will be a main focal point of the Nigeria attack, which is a boost after he was an injury doubt following a late knock picked up last time out. He trained the day before the match and is in the starting lineup.
Osimhen in training this evening pic.twitter.com/tx6k4Zgm2H
— Godwin Enakhena (@genakhena) February 6, 2024
1 hour 30 mins to kick: The Nigeria starting lineup has leaked, and there’s just one change as Fenerbahce’s Bright Osayi-Samuel comes in at right wing-back, replacing Zaidu Sanusi, who is reportedly injured. That’s a big loss for Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro, as Sanusi has been in good form for not only the national team but also his club Porto. It also forces Ola Aina to switch flanks to his weaker side on the left.
According to @owngoalnigeria Zaidu Sanusi is out of Nigeria’s starting lineup today due to injury. Bright Osayi-Samuel replaces him in the lineup.
That means Ola Aina will most probably move to left wing back#NGARSA #AFCON2023
— Colin NOT Collins 🇳🇬🇺🇸 (@ColinUdoh) February 7, 2024
1 hour 45 mins to kick: African teams always bring the heat when it comes to kits, and AFCON is a breeding ground for excellent threads. This matchup is a great example, as Nigeria will stick with their greens and South Africa will wear white.
Dressing rooms of the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana 🇳🇬🇿🇦
All ready for the semis! 💪#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/z80LYzjek4
— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 7, 2024
2 hours to kickoff: Welcome to our coverage of Nigeria vs. South Africa in this African Cup of Nations semifinal. This one promises to be an intriguing match-up!
Victor Osimhen is by far the biggest name on this Nigeria side, but with just one goal in this tournament so far, he he has been overshadowed as the main Super Eagle threat up front by Ademola Lookman. The 26-year-old has brought his great attacking form with club side Atalanta in Italy with him to the national team, with three goals at AFCON, all coming in the knockout-round matches.
Despite just eight career international caps to date he has established himself as the man to watch, and Lookman channeled an iconic moment in Super Eagles lore when he scored against Angola last time out.
You may not have noticed, but Ademola Lookman did the Samuel Okwaraji celebration to honor the former Nigeria Super Eagles player who died on the pitch when Nigeria played against Angola🇦🇴 in a FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 1989. pic.twitter.com/M82lNToxC9
— Niyi Daniels (@_NiyiDaniels) February 6, 2024
Nigeria vs South Africa lineups, team news
There was a scare for Nigeria when Victor Osimhen was stretchered off late against Angola in the quarterfinal victory, but he has been cleared for action in this match by head coach Jose Peseiro.
The Super Eagles are, however, missing the attacking presence of Victor Boniface, who was injured in pre-tournament training and has missed not only the entire AFCON competition, but will also be out for the next few weeks after returning to Bayer Leverkusen for his recovery.
Also absent due to injury is midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who is missing after suffering a long-term muscle injury, while Umar Sadiq of Real Sociedad is not with the squad due to a knee problem. Left wing-back Zaidu Sanusi was missing from the starting lineup and is reportedly injured.
Nigeria starting lineup (3-4-3): Nwabili (GK) — Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey — Osayi-Samuel, Onyeka, Iwobi, Aina — Simon, Osimhen, Lookman.
Nigeria subs (12): Uzoho (GK), Onyemaechi, Omeruo, Awaziem, Yusuf, Aribo, Onyedika, Musah, Onuachu, Chukwueze, Moffi, Iheanacho.
South Africa lost 21-year-old winger Thapelo Maseko for the rest of the tournament to a hamstring injury suffered late in the recent win over Cape Verde. The youngster had made his international debut in their group stage opener and appeared in all five games, four of them off the bench, scoring a goal in the 4-0 win over Namibia.
That’s the only real injury concern ahead of this match, with Bafana Bafana otherwise understood to be at full strength. Head coach Hugo Broos has gone with the same starting lineup for every game in the tournament so far, except for the opener, when Maseko started. He has been replaced by Thapelo Moreno in every game since.
South Africa starting lineup (4-2-3-1): R. Williams (GK) — Muadu, Kekana, Xulu, Mvala — Mokoena, Sithole — Modeba, Zwane, Tau — Makgopa.
South Africa subs (11): Mothwa (GK), Goss (GK), Mashego, Mobbie, Sibisi, Monare, Appollis, Adams, Lepasa, T. Morena, Mayambela.
MORE: Nigeria vs. South Africa predictions, tips and best bets
How to watch Nigeria vs. South Africa
Date Time TV Channel Streaming USA Wed, Feb. 7 12:00 p.m. ET beIN Sports, beIN Sports en Espanol Fubo USA, beIN Sports Connect UK Wed, Feb. 7 5:00 p.m. BST BBC Two, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League Sky Go Extra, BBC iPlayer Australia Thu, Feb. 8 4:00 a.m. AEDT beIN Sports 3 beIN Sports Connect Canada Wed, Feb. 7 12:00 p.m. ET beIN Sports, beIN Sports en Espanol Fubo Canada, beIN Sports Connect India Wed, Feb. 7 21:30 p.m. IST — FanCode
The entirety of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will be televised in the United States by beIN Sports, with both English-language and Spanish-language broadcasts available. This semifinal will be broadcast on television, with both channels available to stream on Fubo USA.
The same goes for Canada, with both beIN Sports and beIN Sports en Espanol available to stream on Fubo Canada.