South Africa coach Hugo Broos has classified Nigeria as the most improved team in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
The two side's will come-up against each other in the semi-finals of the competition at the Peace Stadium of Bouaké on Wednesday.
South Africa secured a semi-final berth after posting a 2-1 penalty shoot-out victory over Cape Verde in which goalkeeper Ronwen Williams saved a tournament record four spot-kicks while Nigeria dumped out Angola 1-0 in the quarter-finals.
“Nigeria are a team who have become better and better with every game at this AFCON,” Broos said.
“It’s a good team and a very good side with a few good players like the one, what’s his name? Look… (Ademola Lookman). The one who scored the goal.
“He is a very good player. We have to analyse them a little bit more now that we know we are playing against them in the semi-finals. We will see how we can use the weaknesses in this team and be aware of the qualities of this team. It’s going to be a little bit special because in a few months we are playing in the World Cup qualifiers. So, it can be a test for the both of us.”
“Being in the semi-finals is something special for South African football. Let’s hope now that we can make a surprise here because the hunger is big to play the final on Sunday," Broos added.
By: Pascal Amoah
