Nigeria and South Africa will resume hostilities today when they battle for a semifinal ticket in the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations going on Egypt.
The two former AFCON winners will go head to head in today’s second quarterfinal match following their victory over Cameroon and hosts Egypt respectively.
Nigeria got the better of defending champions Cameroon in a nerve-racking encounter at the Alexandriastadium. The Super Eagles defeated the five-time 3-2 in what was one of the games of the tournament.
Odion Ighalo put Nigeria ahead in the 19th minute before Cameroon responded with two quickfire goals through Stephen Bahoken and Clinton Njie to go into the half with the lead.
However, Nigeria turned it around as they scored two quick double of their own through Ighalo and Arsenal star Alex Iwobi to secure a famous victory over their arch-rivals.
Watch Highlights of the match below
South Africa meanwhile stunned hosts and tournament favourites Egypt same day. The Bafana Bafana earned a smash and grab win over their much-fancied opponents. The Pharaos dominated the match but could not convert any of their chances. Trezeguet was guilty of missing two great opportunities to give Egypt the lead and it proved costly as South Africa hit the seven-time champions on the break to break the deadlock.
The 1996 champions got the only goal of the game through Thembinkosi Lorch’s perfect finish to give them their first win over the host in AFCON history.
Watch highlights below
Nigeria and South Africa will now contest for a place in the semi-finals. Nigeria have the edge in the head to head but they haven’t beaten Stuart Baxter’s men in the last five matches.
Nevertheless, an exciting match awaits us at the Cairo International stadium.
