Afcon 2023: SA bookmakers tip Eagles to beat Bafana Bafana but Coach Broos is optimistic

Bafana Bafana’s run at the delayed 2023 AFCON will come to an end against Nigeria in the semi-finals if South African bookmakers are to be believed.

Thanks to four penalty saves by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams against Cape Verde, South Africa reached the semi-finals in the Cote d’Ivoire.

They will take on Nigeria on Wednesday, February 7.

Leading South African bookmakers Hollywoodbets have installed Nigeria as 6/10 favourites, with Bafana Bafana on offer at 48/10.

The draw after 90 minutes can be taken at 22/10.

Nigeria are ranked sixth in Africa (and 42nd in the world) in the latest FIFA world rankings, while South Africa are 12th on the continent and 66th in the world.

But South Africa head coach, Hugo Broos has said he will look to exploit the weaknesses in the Super Eagles when both teams meet.

It will be the first meeting between both countries at the Afcon finals since the Super Eagles eliminated the Bafana Bafana in the semi-final at the 2000 edition.

 “We know now that it will be Nigeria, we are in the semifinal so from tomorrow we start analyzing and we will see how we can use the weaknesses in this team but also be aware of the qualities and there are a lot of qualities in that team,” Broos told a press conference.

“For both teams, it’s a little bit special because in a few months, we play each other for the qualifiers for the World Cup so it can be a test for both of us.”

On the thrilling penalty shootout win over Cape Verde on Saturday night, after full-time and extra time ended goalless Bross said,

“When we got to the penalty shootout, it was a special thing for the players, because during training they were scoring them. When we have a goalkeeper who stops four penalty kicks, this is not luck but a lot of hard work.

“Not many people in South Africa believed in this team, but we believed in it, and the players believed in themselves as well. Reaching the semi-finals is in itself a good thing for South African football.

“The semifinal match will be different against Nigeria, which has good players like Lookman. We will not lose focus. The players will be in good condition; so we need to rest and recover to start our preparation”.