TheNewsGuru

Tag: South Africa

  • AFCON 2023: South Africa congratulates Super Eagles for making it to final

    AFCON 2023: South Africa congratulates Super Eagles for making it to final

    The Bafana Bafana of  South Africa have congratulated Nigeria for making it through to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.

    The Super Eagles beat Bafana Bafana 4-2 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.

    Jose Peseiro’s men will now have the chance to win their fourth AFCON title.

    But for South Africa, the wait continues to play in another final, for the first time since 1996.

    They wrote on X, “Well done to Nigeria for making it to the final of AFCON 2023.

    “South Africa Thank you so much for your unwavering support for #BafanaBafana throughout this tournament.”

  • BREAKING: Super Eagles survive Bafana Bafana scare, through to AFCON final

    BREAKING: Super Eagles survive Bafana Bafana scare, through to AFCON final

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria are through to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire after defeating the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Eagles vs South Africa clash was decided by penalties at Bouaké after 120 minutes of intense football.

    The Super Eagles looked through to the final in the 67th minute of play but the South Africans equalised through a penalty kick after a careless challenge from Alhassan Yusuf.

    Thus, the match played at the Stade de la Paix, Bouake, ended 1:1 at full time but the Super Eagles qualify for the 2023 AFCON beating South Africa’s Bafana Bafana 4-2 on penalty kicks.

    The match started on a fast pace, with the South Africans dominating play but were pegged back by the resilient Nigerian defence,  Marshalled by Captain William Troost-Ekong.

    The cagey first half ended goalless, in spite the forays by both teams. But in the second half, Nigeria took the lead after Victor Osimhen was fouled inside the 18 yard box. Ekong stepped up to put the Eagles one goal up.

    However, late in the game, substitute Alhassan Yusuf gave away a penalty, which Teboho Mokoena tucked away.

    The match was eventually decided on penalties, with Nigeria winning 4-2 after a nervy shoot-out.

    Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning penalty as Nigeria booked their place in the final, sparking wild celebration in the stadium.

    Nigeria will now on Sunday in the2023 AFCON final face The Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, who won against DR Congo.

  • BREAKING: Jubilation as Super Eagles qualify with one foot for AFCON final

    BREAKING: Jubilation as Super Eagles qualify with one foot for AFCON final

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria have scored one goal to put one of their feet in the final of the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports William Troost-Ekong scored a penalty kick for the Super Eagles at the 67th minute of play after the game ended zeros at half time.

    It was Super Eagles star striker Victor Osimhen who forced a penalty from The Boys before Troost-Ekong found the back of the net of Bafana Bafana goalie, Ronwen Williams.

    Williams had been rated one of the best goalkeepers in the tournament. He had kept four clean sheets and saved four penalty kicks in the quarter finals.

    TNG reports the second half was under way at the time of filing this report.

     

    Details shortly…

  • AFCON 2023: Watch Super Eagles pumped up ahead of South Africa clash

    AFCON 2023: Watch Super Eagles pumped up ahead of South Africa clash

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on South Africa in a semi final clash at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) today at 6 pm Nigerian time.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Eagles brushed off challenge from Angola to set up the semi final fixture against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

    Ahead of the clash set to take place at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire, the Super Eagles players were captured in high spirit ready to take on their perennial rivals.

    Watch video below:

    Nigerians in South Africa warned not to celebrate if Super Eagles defeat Bafana Bafana

    Earlier, the Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, has called on Nigerians in the host country, to avoid unguarded utterances, ahead of Wednesday’s AFCON Semi-final match between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana.

    According to a statement by the High Commission, the aim is to encourage safe conduct by Nigerians in South Africa before, during and after the match.

    “The attention of the Nigeria High Commission Pretoria has been drawn to online comments made by a section of South African citizens against Nigerians living in the country.

    “This is largely influenced by the 2024 AFCON Semi-final match between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana on Wednesday.

    “Most of the comments consist veiled threats against Nigerians if the Bafana Bafana lose to the Super Eagles, among others.

    “In this regard, the High Commission hereby advises the Nigerian community to be watchful of their utterances, be mindful of where they choose to watch the match.

    The statement advised those who would watch the match especially in public places to refrain from engaging in loud, riotous or prevocational celebrations should the Super Eagles win the match.

    The mission urged Nigerians to maintain the good conduct they were known for and be law abiding before, during and after the match.

    It further added that “should any provocation arise, they should not be reciprocated, but such should be reported to the appropriate authorities”.

  • Nigeria vs South Africa: Shettima departs for Côte d’Ivoire

    Nigeria vs South Africa: Shettima departs for Côte d’Ivoire

    Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday,  departed Abuja for  Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire to lend President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering support to the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    The spokesperson of the vice-president, Mr Stanley Nkwocha said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said that Shettima’s trip to Côte d’Ivoire was at the instance of Tinubu.

    The Super Eagles will take on South Africa in the semi-final of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    The match will be played at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire later this evening.

    According to Nkwocha, the  visit will strengthen the deep-rooted connection between football and national identity in the country.

    Nkwocha said Shettima’s presence would not only inspire the Super Eagles on the pitch,  but also serve as a rallying point for millions of Nigerians cheering from their homes.

    According to him, this year’s AFCON has seen the Super Eagles soar to new heights.

    ”With a dominant performance in the group stages and a thrilling victory in the quarter-final, they have established themselves as strong contenders for the title.

    ”With this being their 15th semi-final appearance, Nigeria holds the record for most appearances at this stage.

    ”They will be aiming to replicate their success in 2013 when they lifted the trophy in South Africa,” he said.

    He further said that Shettima’s visit to Côte d’Ivoire serves as a powerful call for national unity and support.

    ”As the Super Eagles prepare for their crucial semi-final match, Nigerians across the globe are urged to raise their voices and cheer  their team.

    ”The entire nation stands behind the Super Eagles,” he said.

  • AFCON 2023: South Africa will play in the final – Broos boasts

    AFCON 2023: South Africa will play in the final – Broos boasts

    South Africa head coach, Hugo Broos has said his side are motivated to play against Nigeria in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Côte d’Ivoire 2023.

    Broos who  stated this during a pre-match conference on Tuesday, said  that getting to the semi-finals was motivation  for them,  based on the country’s recent performance at the AFCON.

    “We are very happy and motivated that we will play tomorrow in the semi-finals of the AFCON.

    “For many people, it was unexpected but we did it and ensured South Africa became a team to be reckoned with on the continent.

    “Also, it’s more than 20 years ago that South Africa played in the semi-finals.

    “Even more than that we played in the finals, so what that means is that we have a lot of motivation,” he said.

    The Belgian tactician admitted to Nigeria’s quality but still maintained his confidence in his squad for the crucial game.

    “We are playing against a good team tomorrow, number six in the ranking, that means a lot for our  players.

    “Nigeria have had upper hand on South Africa in recent meetings but it’s not a worrying situation for us.

    “For many, Nigeria are the favourite to win but it’s not always the case in football.

    “We are confident and motivated to try and ensure it doesn’t happen and South Africa will play in the final for the first time in 20 years,” he said.

  • AFCON 2023: Super Eagles will beat Bafana Bafana, ex-South African winger, Khanye predicts

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles will beat Bafana Bafana, ex-South African winger, Khanye predicts

    Super Eagles of Nigeria may have won the semifinal clash against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa even before the match kicks off, if a prediction by ex- South Africa winger, Junior Khanye, is anything to go by.

    It’s over for us,” Khanye said. “We are lucky to be where we are at the moment.

    “Nigeria is going to beat us, and that is when we will get a wake-up call. I’m not saying this because I’m being negative, but it’s just me stating facts.

    “I love Bafana Bafana, and I want to see them doing well. But, this is our last game, those guys (Nigeria) are going to punish us,” said Khanye as cited by The Citizen.

    The former Kaizer Chiefs player made the declaration in his analysis of South Africa’s performance during their quarterfinal game against Cape Verde, which Bafana Bafana won 2-1 in penalty shootout.

    He stressed that they were lucky to have overcome the challenges by Cape Verde to reach the semifinal.

    The 38-year-old advised his compatriots to pack their bags, adding that it would be difficult to beat Nigeria. Khanye took a swipe at the team for their defensive approach to the match against Cape Verde, adding that they were only lucky to have won. He gave kudos to goalkeeper and captain, Ronwen Williams, for saving four of the five kicks taken by the opponents.

    “We could have lost that game. But luckily, we were very lucky. And listen, I’m saying we were very lucky, but we also need to give to Ronwen Williams (some credits). He was the star of the show and saved those penalties very well, we must give credit to him for that.

    “But, when it comes to playing, we were terrible. We were defending too much. I think our game against Cape Verde was our worst at the tournament when I looked at the other matches.”

    I don’t think that we were at our best; any team can beat us. Look at the chances that Cape Verde created; it’s all luck. Any of those chances could have easily gone in. But again, we have to say thank you to our defence. They did a very important job despite Cape Verde victory.

  • BREAKING: Victor Osimhen arrives in Bouaké, joins Super Eagles in training

    BREAKING: Victor Osimhen arrives in Bouaké, joins Super Eagles in training

    Super Eagles star striker Victor Osimhen has arrived in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire and joined the Super Eagles team in training ahead of Wednesday’s semi final clash against South Africa.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Osimhen was down with a stomach upset and was declared unfit for the Semi Final encounter against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

    However, in a turn of events, the team medics, who had been following up the Napoli forward situation, declared him fit for the clash.

    He has now joined the rest of the team in Bouaké and trained with the squad immediately after he arrived.

    “Victor Osimhen has been declared fit and available for selection in the semi-final clash against South Africa on Wednesday.

    “He has joined the team in Bouaké and has trained with the squad today,” a statement from the team reads.

  • AFCON 2023: Coach Peseiro urges Super Eagles players to give their best against South Africa

    AFCON 2023: Coach Peseiro urges Super Eagles players to give their best against South Africa

    Jose Peseiro, the Super Eagles head coach, has urged  his players to give more than 100 hundred per cent on the pitch when they confront the Bafana Bafana of  South Africa tomorrow..

    Nigeria and South Africa will clash in a semi-final tie at the Stade de la Paix, Boauke on Wednesday night.

    The Bafana Bafana of South Africa has won four consecutive games in a row since the 2-0 defeat to Mali in their opening fixture.

    Peseiro, who praised his players for their impressive performance in the competition so far, reckoned it is important for his team to work hard against the South Africans.

    “We’re doing a good job. Good organisation and good commitment, we play like a team together,” the 63-year-old Portuguese coach said.

    “It will be a tough match against a good national team.

    “We want to beat South Africa to reach the final. For that we have to play a high-level match against a South African team who eliminated Morocco, who did a fantastic World Cup.

    “We must play 100% or more to beat a very good team.”

  • BREAKING: Osimhen is cleared for South Africa clash

    BREAKING: Osimhen is cleared for South Africa clash

    Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, has reportedly been cleared by the team’s medical staff for Wednesday’s semi-final clash against South Africa.

    thenewsguru.ng earlier reported that the Super Eagles travelled on Monday evening from Abidjan to Bouaké without star striker Victor Osimhen as a result of abdominal discomfort.

    The team’s media officer, Babafemi Raji, who confirmed the incident, said the team doctors had placed him under close watch with a member of the medical team staying behind in Abidjan with him.

    However, sources in Abidjan said Victor will join his teammates in Bouake after being declared fit and is expected to feature in the game.

    The Super Eagles defeated the Palancas Negras of Angola 1-0 at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan last Friday to book a semi-final date with South Africa.

    South Africa goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, saved four penalties during the shootout against the Cape Verde Islands to catapult his country into the last four of the tournament after a 0-0 draw in their quarter-final match on Saturday.

    Nigeria will take on South Africa on Wednesday in Bouake by 6 pm for a place in the 2023 AFCON final.