The second quarter final on the Africa Cup goes between Nigeria and South Africa. It is striking that both countries are in the quarterfinals, because both Nigeria and South Africa eliminated a title favorite in the eighth final.
Nigeria:
In recent weeks, the Nigerian selection has received some criticism in their own country, and that criticism was often justified. According to many Nigerians, national coach Gernot Rohr would play too cautiously with his team and that also had some truth in it. For example, Nigeria only scored twice in three group matches and that caused some criticism of the Nigerian camp. Rightly so, because Nigeria was in a group with the weaker countries Burundi, Guinea and Madagascar. Still, the Nigerians were having a hard time in the group stage and therefore there was quite a bit of tension in the eighth final against Cameroon.
The Super Eagles have at least been a little concerned with the criticism, because the Cameroonians found the net no less than three times against Cameroon. On the other hand, the Nigerian goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, also had to pass two goals against a Cameroon that has more quality on paper than Nigeria. In fact: Cameroon was one of the title candidates for this tournament. So Nigeria succeeded in sending the Cameroonians home and that is why The Super Eagles are yearning. With South Africa as an opponent, there are at least enough opportunities for Nigeria to reach the semi-finals. However, Nigeria is the King of Third Place in the Africa Cup, because no country took bronze more often than The Super Eagles.
South Africa:
That South Africa is in the quarterfinals is remarkable. The South Africans finished in third place in a group with Ivory Coast, Namibia and Morocco. In the end, that third place was enough for Bafana Bafana to secure a spot in the knockout phase, although it needed the help of Kenya and Angola for that. A duel with Egypt then awaited in the eighth final and Stuart Baxter’s South Africa was deemed hopeless in advance. Still, Bafana Bafana managed to win in the lion’s den last Saturday.
In a sold-out Cairo Stadium, where of course mainly Egyptians were in the stands, South Africa won 0-1 against the host country. A counter from the booklet caused South African Thembinkosi Lorch to shoot his team to victory five minutes before time. And to be fair: the South Africans played an excellent game against Egypt. If you can win from Egypt then you can win from everyone they will now think in South Africa and Bafana Bafana is definitely not a chance against Nigeria. During the qualifying series, Nigeria and South Africa were in the group together, and in Nigeria the South Africans won 0-2, while the opponent was held on 1-1 in Johannesburg on Wednesday evening.
PREDICTION: Nigeria to win @ 2,05
