One of the toughest clashes of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals will take place at Cairo International Stadium on Wednesday, when Nigeria take on South Africa. The two sides have last met in the qualification rounds for this competition in 2018, and the match ended 1-1 in South Africa. Before that, South Africa had managed to clinch a 2-0 victory in Nigeria. Four of the last five direct matches ended with draws.
Nigeria didn't have the best of tournaments in the group stage as they finished second behind surprise package Madagascar, but they made up for it with a spectacular 3-2 victory over defending champions Cameroon in the first knockout round. Moreover, Nigeria fought back from 2-1 down at half-time, with goals scored in the second half by Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi. Head coach Gernot Rohr is expected to use the same starting eleven, even though right-back Chidozie Awaziem is a booking away from suspension.
South Africa had an even more troubled time in the group stage, they lost two of their three matches and were lucky to qualify for the first knockout round thanks to a 1-0 victory over Namibia. However, they did a much better job in the first knockout round and defeated host nation Egypt thanks to a late goal from Thembinkosi Lorch. The Orlando Pirates striker started that match only because Themba Zwane was suspended, but now he might be given another start by head coach Stuart Baxter.
Probable line-ups:
Nigeria: Akpeyi - Awaziem, Troost-Ekong, Omeruo, Aina - Etebo, Ndidi - Simon, Iwobi, Musa - Ighalo
South Africa: Williams - Mkhize, Mkhwanazi, Hlatswayo, Hlanti - Mokotjo, Furman, Zungu - Tau, Mothiba, Lorch
My prediction:
South Africa are very strong in defence but I think Nigeria will find their way past that wall eventually, I predict a 1-0 win for Nigeria.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Nigeria win - 2.00
Draw - 3.00
South Africa win - 4.33
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