AFCON 2023: Is Bafana Bafana’s Ronwen Williams Better Than Super Eagles' Stanley Nwabali?

• Stanley Nwabali was a surprise starter at the beginning of AFCON 2023
• Ronwen Williams saved four penalties in the shootout against Cape Verde
• Both Nwabali and Williams have both kept four clean sheets in this edition

The days leading to Wednesday's semi-final will reveal a heated rivalry that seldom gets much light.

Nigeria will be favourites against Bafana Bafana, but Hugo Broos' men will accept the underdog tag, having carried it for much of the competition.

Under the surface, the rivalry on the pitch is a proxy between two countries that aspire to be economic and cultural leaders of the continent, as well as in the sporting arena.

Carrying the flag for their nations will be Ronwen Williams and Stanley Nwabali. Statistics can seldom capture the X-factor players possess, but they do offer casual insight.

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Williams has faced 14 shots on target in five games, making 12 saves, while Nigeria's defence has allowed just 11 shots on target, of which Nwabali missed only 1.

In the goals prevented column, which is a stat compiling the amount times goalkeepers pulled off saves where the opponent would have been expected to score, Williams ranked higher with 3.1 to Nwabali's 1.8, as per FOTMOB.

This could come down to South Africa leaking more clear-cut opportunities. Victor Osimhen may be listed as having missed the most big chances but Bafana Bafana should not think that can last much longer.

In a stat with no context given, WhoScored.com gives Williams a rating of 7.04, just higher than Nwabali's 6.90.

Purists will point out that domestic football is irrelevant when talking about international tournaments, but Nwabali's clean sheet percentage in the DSTV Premiership is 43.75% compared to Williams's 76.9%, as per SoccerStats247.

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This is down to Williams playing for Mamelodi Sundowns, who are unbeaten in the league. Masandawana have only conceded three goals in 14 matches, compared with Chippa United's 16 conceded in 16 games.

Oliseh says to avoid penalties

Sports Brief previously reported on Super Eagles legend, Sunday Oliseh's advice for Jose Peseiro's team.

The former player and coach urged the Nigerians to avoid getting to penalties against Hugo Broos’ men.

Oliseh stated the West Africans would do well to get the job done against Bafana Bafana in 90 minutes.