AFCON 2023: Man United Coach Benni McCarthy Sends Message to South Africa Ahead of Nigeria Showdown

• Nigeria vs South Africa AFCON semi-final clash is finally here
• Benni McCarthy has sent a lovely message to Bafana Bafana
• The winner of the encounter will play DR Congo or Ivory Coast

Manchester United coach and South Africa legend, Benni McCarthy, has sent his message to Bafana Bafana ahead of their semi-final clash against Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Hugo Broos' side are having a memorable tournament in Ivory Coast, and are seeking their second AFCON title.

The 1996 champions are playing in the semi-final of the tournament for the first time since 2000. They face a hugely talented Nigeria side that is undefeated in Ivory Coast.

Benni McCarthy has joined millions of South Africans in sending their best wishes to the team ahead of a do-or-die encounter with the three-time AFCON champions.

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“All the best for the game, every single South African is behind them and wants them to give it their all," per iDiski Times.

“You’ve made us very proud so far, now go and give it all you got and an AFCON final place awaits you!"

McCarthy made 81 appearances for Bafana Bafana, the fifth most. Despite retiring from the sport over a decade ago, he remains the country's all-time top scorer, per FIFA.

The former Orlando Pirates star was the top scorer of the 1998 AFCON, in which Bafana Bafana reached the finals before losing to Egypt. He was also named Player of the Tournament.

The former striker is part of the Manchester United coaching staff. He won the Champions League as a player with Porto in 2004 and enjoyed a successful spell in the Premier League.

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Nigeria vs South Africa Preview

Sports Brief also earlier previewed Nigeria and South Africa's AFCON semi-final showdown on Wednesday, February 7.

The Super Eagles are unbeaten so far, registering two wins and a draw in the group stage before beating Cameroon and Angola.

South Africa won, drew, and lost in the group stages before beating Morocco in the last 16 and Cape Verde in the quarter-final.

Okocha on Nigeria vs South Africa

Sports Brief also reported on Super Eagles legend Jay-Jay Okocha weighing in on Nigeria vs South Africa's semi-final clash.

Okocha was part of the team that eliminated South Africa from the 2000 AFCON tournament in Nigeria. The Bolton Wanderers legend says the Super Eagles have to earn their win tonight.

“It’s one step at a time, we have South Africa to play next. We just have to earn the right to win a football match. It doesn’t matter how now, we just have to win.”