Nigeria vs South Africa prediction, odds, expert football betting tips and best bets for AFCON semifinal

As one of just two pre-tournament favorites left standing at the utterly chaotic 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria hope to push themselves towards a return to glory as they meet South Africa in the semifinals in Bouake.

Since winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, stopping a 19-year drought, the Super Eagles have reached this final four stage just once, finishing third in 2019. It has been an unceremonious fall from grace, struggling to inspire talent to an on-field payoff while falling short on both continental and global stages.

Yet now back in the AFCON semifinals and the bracket opening up as other favorites drop like flies around them, Nigeria now have a golden opportunity to win a trophy that would lay the groundwork for an establishment back amongst the elite African football nations.

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South Africa, however, can taste an opportunity for the latest upset in a tournament laden with shocking results. Bafana Bafana achieved an impressive quarterfinal win over Cape Verde, who themselves looked ripe for a surprising deep run, and prior to that knocked out both Tunisia and Morocco, a pair of tournament favorites.

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The Super Eagles entered this tournament with their AFCON prospects bleak at best, but have managed to overcome every obstacle and emerge in the semifinals having displayed impressive moxie at multiple stages.

South Africa, meanwhile, have weathered countless storms, surviving three consecutive attacking onslaughts from Tunisia, Morocco, and Cape Verde while ultimately conceding just one goal. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has made a solid case for the tournament's Golden Glove, but in