By Victor Kanayo
After intense quarter-final battles, the semi-final teams have now been decided in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
They are Nigeria, South Africa, DR Congo and host Cote d’ivoire.
While Nigeria and South Africa clash in the first last four game, Cote d’ivoire will await DR Congo in the other match on Wednesday February 7, 2024.
Victories After Quarter-final Berths
It was Nigeria’s Super Eagles that first got here after sending loud-mouthed Angola side packing, before the two other last eight encounters unfolded on Saturday night.
Earlier on the day, South Africa via penalties subdued Cape Verde after goal keeping heroics by Ronwen Williams who has had four straight clean sheets and also saved three penalty kicks.
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After a tense last eight clash ended 0-0 at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro on Saturday night, Williams remarkably saved four spot-kicks in the shootout to send Bafana Bafana through.
Another Super Eagles, Bafana Bafana Tango
And so, the Bafana Bafana are in the semi-final for the first time since 2000 when they lost to Nigeria at that same stage.
On the other hand, DR Congo were through to the AFCON last four after a dominant 3-1 victory over Guinea in the last eight.
The Leopards came from behind to book a ticket in the last four after defeating their opponents at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara.
For the host, they pulled off an extraordinary comeback win despite being reduced to 10 men to beat Mali 2-1 after extra time.
