AFCON 2023: Bafana Bafana Legend Advises Hugo Broos on How to Approach Clash With Nigeria

• Nigeria and South Africa face off in the semi-final of the 2023 AFCON
• South Africa legend Neil Tovey has urged Bafana Bafana to be pragmatic
• South Africa have never beaten the Super Eagles at the tournament

South Africa lock horns with Nigeria in the semi-final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday, February 7, with a place in the final up for grabs.

South Africa’s 1996 AFCON winning captain, Neil Tovey, has weighed in on the match, advising his country on what not to do.

South Africa and Nigeria have a history in the AFCON. The Super Eagles knocked the 1996 champions out of the tournament in 2000 and 2019, per Afrik Foot.

Tovey captained Bafana Bafana to their only AFCON title in 1996. He says Hugo Broos must be pragmatic against Nigeria.

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“What we dare not do in Bouake is retreat into a defensive shell. That would be playing into the hands of the Nigerians," he said via Complete Sports.

“South Africa must approach the match in a similar manner to the game against Morocco — defend in depth when necessary but also apply pressure.”

The two countries have conceded a total of three goals in Ivory Coast, and it will be a fascinating tactical battle between Broos and Jose Peseiro.

The West Africans have won four of their five games at the tournament but are yet to lose. South Africa lost their first game but bounced back impressively, and even knocked favourites Morocco out.

Nigeria vs South Africa preview

Sports Brief also previewed the Nigeria vs South Africa semi-final clash set for Wednesday, February 7.

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The Super Eagles are unbeaten in this year's AFCON, registering two wins and a draw in the group stage before beating arch-rivals Cameroon and Angola in the knockout stage.

Meanwhile, South Africa recorded a win, a draw and a loss in the group stages before beating Morocco in the last 16 and Cape Verde in the quarter-final, per CAF.

Williams sends South Africa to AFCON semis

Sports Brief earlier reported that South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams sent Bafana Bafana into the last four of the 2023 AFCON following an impressive show against Cape Verde.

The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper produced four incredible penalty saves in the shootout against the Blue Sharks.

The 32-year-old became the first goalkeeper to save four penalties in a single AFCON penalty shootout.