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      Afcon 2023 semi-finals LIVE SCORES: Latest updates, Nigeria vs South Africa before Ivory Coast vs DR Congo TONIGHT

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      NIGERIA will face South Africa this evening in the first Afcon semi-final of the day.The Super Eagles are eying their first Nations Cup triumph since 2013 when they beat Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final.
      Later tonight, Ivory Coast will take on DR Congo after Oumar Diakite’s 122nd-minute match-winner against Mali booked the host’s spot in the final four.

      Nigeria vs South Africa kick off time: 5pm GMT
      Ivory Coast vs DR Congo kick off time: 8pm GMT
      TV channel: BBC Two/Three
      FREE live stream: BBC iPlayer

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      Follow our live blog below…
      Team news
      Starting with Nigeria, who will be thrilled to have Victor Osimhen fit for this one.
      He gets the nod in a stellar attacking line-up filled with Premier League stars, past and present.
      Fulham’s Calvin Bassey also takes his place in defence.
      NIGERIA XI: Nwabali, Aina, Ekong, Ajayi, Bassey, Osay-Samuel, Onyeka, Iwobi, Lookman, Simon, Osimhen
      Copy linkCopiedTop hosts
      Ivory Coast and DR Congo meet in the other semi final later tonight.
      The host nation are just favourites in the betting to reach the final – after a hugely dramatic campaign to date.
      They sacked head coach Jean-Louis Gasset after a hugely disappointing group stage campaign – which they ended up QUALIFYING from to reach the last 16.
      A penalty shoot out win over Senegal followed, with them needing extra time to beat Mali in the quarter finals.
      Who could begrudge them a final on home turf?
      Copy linkCopiedNigeria record at this stage…
      Incredibly, this is Nigeria’s record 15th appearance in the semi finals of this competition.
      But it’s been a stage they’ve stuttered at recently.
      In fact, they’ve only reached the final once from their last six games in the AFCON semis.
      Though the one time they did progress to the final in that time – in 2013 – they went on to claim the trophy.
      The hosts that year? South Africa.
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      Nigeria boss Jose Peseiro has lauded his side’s defensive displays after four consecutive clean sheets to reach the final four.
      But he’s pleaded with his side to create more scoring chances tonight.
      He reckons a more prolific display in the final third will be necessary to reach the final.
      He said: “The team could have created more opportunities. 
      “We are a quality team Angola was very good, but we had more luck. I remain satisfied with my players but want us to be more efficient.
      “We’re missing key creators like Iheanacho and Aribo, so it’s been hard. But others must now step up.”

      Copy linkCopiedFears over
      Victor Osimhen’s participation tonight looked in serious jeopardy when Jose Peseiro refused to give an update on his fitness.
      The Napoli superstar’s abdominal discomfort forced him not to travel to Bouake.
      But the Super Eagles’ X account calmed fears yesterday, revealing he will be fit this evening.
      The statement read: “Victor Osimhen has been declared fit and available for selection in the semi-final clash against South Africa on Wednesday,’ the statement read.
      “He has joined the team in Bouaké and has trained with the squad today.”
      Copy linkCopiedWelcome!
      A very good evening and welcome to tonight’s first African Cup of Nations semi final between Nigeria and South Africa.
      Nigeria secured their passage to this stage with a 1-0 win over Angola in the quarters.
      Former Everton and Fulham winger Ademola Lookman with the only goal in the game in the first half.
      That was their third 1-0 victory of the competition.
      South Africa’s quarter final was an even tenser affair, relying on a penalty shoot out to prevail beyond Cape Verde.
      Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was the hero on the night saving FOUR penalties in that shoot out.
      That’s led both sides to tonight….
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      Nigeria vs South Africa – Afcon semi-final: Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana look for final spot – stream, TV, team news

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      NIGERIA will face South Africa in the semi-final of Afcon TONIGHT.The Super Eagles booked their place in the last four with a 1-0 win over Angola on Friday.
      Ademola Lookman was the difference maker against AngolaCredit: GETTY
      Ronwen Williams was the hero for South Africa against Cape Verde with four penalty saves in the shootoutCredit: AP
      Former Premier League star Ademola Lookman was the difference maker with a thumping strike on 40 minutes.
      Nigeria have won the Nations Cup three times, with their last tournament triumph coming in 2013 when they beat Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final.
      The Super Eagles will face South Africa in this year’s semi-final after the latter booked their spot in the last four with a win over Cape Verde.
      Bafana Bafana shot-stopper Ronwen Williams was the hero after he became the first goalkeeper to save four penalties in an Afcon shootout.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      When is Nigeria vs South Africa?

      Nigeria vs South Africa will take place on Wednesday, February 7th.
      The match will kick off at 5pm GMT.
      The Stade de la Paix in Bouake will host.

      What TV channel is Nigeria vs South Africa on and can it be live streamed?

      Nigeria vs South Africa will be broadcast live on BBC Two and Sky Sports Main Event.
      You can live stream the match for FREE on BBC iPlayer, providing you have a valid TV license.
      Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all the action by following SunSport’s live blog.

      Team news
      Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen was taken off late on against Angola on Friday night with an apparent injury.
      However, the Napoli striker was pictured walking freely away from the stadium after the match.
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      Hugo Broos will be hoping his South Africa side came through their gruelling 120-minute quarter-final unscathed.
      What are the odds?
      Match result

      Nigeria – 3/5
      Draw – 5/2
      South Africa – 6/1

      *Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and are correct at the time of publication. More

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      Ivory Coast vs DR Congo – Afcon semi-final: Hosts take on underdogs for spot in final – stream, TV channel, team news

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      IVORY COAST are on step away from reaching the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 final on home territory. The Elephants have been brilliant so far but will have to be at their best again to get past plucky underdogs DR Congo.
      Ivory Coast beat Mali to reach the semi-finals of Afcon 2023
      DR Congo’s Arthur Masuaku celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s third goal against Guinea
      Ivory Coast overcame Mali in sensational circumstances in the quarter-finals to reach the Afcon semis.
      Two goals, once in the 92nd minute and again in the 120th minute sealed their meeting with DR Congo.
      The Leopards, meanwhile, beat Guinea 3-1 and even knocked out Egypt on penalties in the last-16.
      When is Ivory Coast vs DR Congo?

      Ivory Coast’s clash with DR Congo takes place TONIGHT at 8pm GMT.
      The match will be held at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      Ivory Coast vs DR Congo will be broadcast live on BBC Three and Sky Sports Football.
      You can live stream the match for FREE on BBC iPlayer, providing you have a valid TV license.
      Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all the action by following SunSport’s live blog.

      Team news
      Ivory Coast will be without suspended Serge Aurier for their huge semi-final.
      Simon Adingra scored the equaliser against Mali last week and could get a start here alongside Sebastian Haller.
      And Ibrahim Sangare could return to the XI in place one Franck Kessie.
      Most read in Football
      For DR Congo, they could be without former Chelsea man Gael Kakuta, but they’ll ne more worried about Arthur Masuaku’s risk of suspension for the final.
      Odds

      Ivory Coast – 21/20
      Draw – 9/5
      DR Congo – 5/2
      Ivory Coast to qualify – 8/15
      DR Congo to qualify – 27/20

      *Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication. More

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      Mo Salah set for awkward decision as Egypt hire the national legend who slammed Liverpool star’s Afcon exit

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      MOHAMED SALAH is set for and awkward encounter following Eygpt’s decision to hire Hossam Hassan.The Pharaohs hired the national legend to replace Rui Vitoria following their Afcon exit.
      Hossam Hassan has been named Egypt’s name managerCredit: AP
      He criticised Mohamed Salah for returning to LiverpoolCredit: AP
      Rui Vitoria was sacked for losing just once as Eygpt managerCredit: AFP
      Egypt were knocked out of Afcon in the last-16 after a shock defeat to DR Congo.
      Salah, 31, has wished the Portuguese manager well on social media following his departure.
      He wrote: “Thanks for everything, coach. I wish you the best in the future.”
      Victoria’s exit came as a bit of a surprise as he had only lost one match during his time in charge.
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      While it appears that Salah had a good relationship with the former Benfica and Al-Nassr boss, it is likely there could be some friction with his replacement.
      Hassan, 57, was hired by the Pharaohs as the technical director but will be fulfilling the role of a manager.
      The former striker is a legend for Egypt as he scored 68 goals and is the all-time leading goalscorer, 12 more than Salah.
      During Afcon he was working as a pundit and was left unimpressed with Salah’s decision to return to Liverpool.
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      The forward had picked up a hamstring injury against Ghana and he returned to Merseyside for rehab.
      Hassan said: “If Salah feels he wants to travel, he should travel and not return to the national team again because the injury is not severe; he needs physiotherapy which is available with the national team.
      Mo Salah gives motivational dressing room speech to Egypt team-mates after Afcon defeat
      “A hamstring injury does not require extensive facilities in Liverpool.
      “Big clubs always send doctors and physical therapists with top players to these tournaments, and in Liverpool, they know if Salah needs something, they will send doctors to him.
      “Salah, with his great value, should continue with the national team both morally and psychologically.
      “It affects other teams that he can participate at any time, but his departure will affect Egypt negatively and the opponents positively.”
      This is not the first managerial issue Salah has had to deal with recently as Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season.
      Hassan, a three-time Afcon winner as a player, continued to reveal how he would deal with the situation.
      He added: “If I was the Egypt manager and he told me his desire to travel to Liverpool, I would tell him to continue there, and we have capable men in the national team.
      “Salah is one of the best individuals who have achieved accomplishments for Egypt globally, but the national team is a red line for anyone.
      “Even if you are injured and cannot play, you have a significant role from both a technical and moral perspective.”
      Salah will have a decision over his international future following the arrival of Hassan, especially if the environment is not welcoming.
      This year’s tournament has seen some other shock eliminations with nations like Senegal, Cameroon and Morocco all suffering early exits.
      DR Congo have been one of the surprise teams having reached the semi-final against host nation Ivory Coast.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Star player and former West Ham defender Arthur Masuaku scored a brilliant free-kick in the quarter-final.
      Cape Verde also punched above their weight before they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by South Africa after a dramatic penalty shootout. More

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      Ademola Lookman looked like another failed Prem wonderkid.. now he’s reborn and outshining world’s best striker at Afcon

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      NIGERIA went into the Africa Cup of Nations boasting the best striker in the competition — maybe even the world.Yet Napoli star Victor Osimhen has been outshone for the Super Eagles by another forward who was once of this parish.
      Ademola Lookman has been one of the best performers at AfconCredit: Getty
      Victor Osimhen has not found his shooting boots at the tournamentCredit: Reuters
      Ademola Lookman was born in Wandsworth, came through at Charlton after being unearthed playing Sunday League, earned a big-money move to Everton and had loans to Fulham and Leicester.
      He also won 11 caps for the England Under-21s. But in 2022 he switched allegiances to Nigeria, where his parents are from, and has not looked back since.
      After netting both goals in the last-16 victory over Cameroon and then the winner against Angola in the quarter-finals, the 26-year-old has become a talisman for his adopted country.
      He will be even more crucial for today’s semi-final against South Africa if Osimhen, 25, is ruled out with an abdominal complaint.
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      It is some rise for a player who may never have turned pro had he not been spotted by scouts when playing for Waterloo ten years ago.
      He quickly worked his way into the Addicks first team, making his senior debut less than a fortnight after his 18th birthday, yet could not save the club from relegation from the Championship.
      There was plenty of transfer buzz about him that summer but it was not until the following January that he earned a dream, £11million switch to the Prem with Everton.
      Ricky Holmes, 36, battled with Lookman for a spot on the wing for half a season in League One and remembers an undeniable natural talent, albeit not a humble one.
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      Holmes, who is still playing with non-league Farnborough, told SunSport: “He thought he had already made it — but he still had a lot to learn.
      “But he’s kicked on and had one hell of a career. I could only dream of achieving what he has.”
      Top 10 highest-paid players at Afcon revealed with Chelsea flop earning more than Mo Salah
      One of Lookman’s feats includes netting within a minute of coming on for his Toffees debut in a 4-0 victory over Manchester City in 2017, inflicting the joint-worst defeat of Pep Guardiola’s Etihad career.
      Lookman’s story has been one of ambition, always looking for a chance to get game-time.
      That is happening right now for his country and also for his club Atalanta in Italy’s Serie A, where he has scored 22 goals in 56 games.
      He revealed last week how he still wants “to play at the highest level”, claiming in an interview how he is a “different player” to the one the Premier League recalls.
      In training he’d do something and you’d think, ‘Wow, this kid is special’.Ricky Holmes
      Lookman has certainly come on leaps and bounds since those early days at Charlton — just like another of Holmes’ old team-mates.
      Holmes added: “He could do something out of the ordinary, similar to Ivan Toney. I played with Ivan when he was a young lad at Northampton.
      “In training, they would just do something and you’d think, ‘Wow, this kid is special’.
      “Ade would pick the ball up, dribble past two players and put it in the top corner and you’d think ‘How have you just done that?’
      “You just knew, with that ability he was going to step up to bigger and better things and ultimately he has done.
      “So has Ivan. Those kinds of players don’t come around often.”
      One man backing Lookman to return to the top is Scott Parker – his boss during his time at Fulham.
      Parker told SunSport: “Ade is an unbelievable human being, grounded and respectful.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “He is someone who is always trying to improve and get better. It goes without saying he is a massive talent and has big quality.
      “But for me it is his general professionalism and his attitude to want to constantly improve his game which makes him stand out.”
      Lookman scored on his Everton debutCredit: AFP or licensors
      He is now impressing in the Serie A with Atalanta this seasonCredit: Getty More

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      Nigeria vs South Africa – Afcon 2023 semi-final: Super Eagles look to book spot in huge final – stream, TV, team news

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      NIGERIA will face South Africa in the semi-final of Afcon 2023 on Wednesday night.The Super Eagles booked their place in the last four with a 1-0 win over Angola on Friday.
      Ademola Lookman was the difference maker against AngolaCredit: GETTY
      Ronwen Williams was the hero for South Africa against Cape Verde with four penalty saves in the shootoutCredit: AP
      Former Premier League star Ademola Lookman was the difference maker with a thumping strike on 40 minutes.
      Nigeria have won the Nations Cup three times, with their last tournament triumph coming in 2013 when they beat Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final.
      The Super Eagles will face South Africa in this year’s semi-final after the latter booked their spot in the last four with a win over Cape Verde.
      Bafana Bafana shot-stopper Ronwen Williams was the hero after he became the first goalkeeper to save four penalties in an Afcon shootout.
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      When is Nigeria vs South Africa?

      Nigeria vs South Africa will take place on Wednesday, February 7th.
      The match will kick off at 5pm GMT.
      The Stade de la Paix in Bouake will host.

      What TV channel is Nigeria vs South Africa on and can it be live streamed?

      Nigeria vs South Africa will be broadcast live on BBC Two and Sky Sports Main Event.
      You can live stream the match for FREE on BBC iPlayer, providing you have a valid TV license.
      Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all the action by following SunSport’s live blog.

      Team news
      Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen was taken off late on against Angola on Friday night with an apparent injury.
      However, the Napoli striker was pictured walking freely away from the stadium after the match.
      Most read in Football
      Hugo Broos will be hoping his South Africa side came through their gruelling 120-minute quarter-final unscathed.
      What are the odds?
      Match result

      Nigeria – 3/5
      Draw – 5/2
      South Africa – 6/1

      *Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and are correct at the time of publication. More

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      Bizarre moment commentator sings SHAKIRA song before crucial final kick of penalty shootout at Afcon

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      FOOTBALL fans were left in stitches after a commentator began singing a Shakira song before Cape Verde were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations.South Africa booked their place in the semi-finals for the first time in 24 years with a penalty shoot-out victory on Saturday night after a goalless 120 minutes.
      Commentator Mohamed Barakat left fans in hystericsCredit: BEIN SPORTS
      The hilarious piece of commentary came moments before South Africa clinched victoryCredit: AP
      It was a bizarre homage to Shakira’s song from 2010Credit: Youtube @Shakira
      Keeper Ronwen Williams proved to be the hero as he saved four of Cape Verde’s five spot kicks with a remarkable set of stops – including one from Manchester United flop Bebe.
      And it was before Patrick Andrade’s decisive miss that the superb piece of Qatar-based beIN Sports commentary took place.
      Bizarrely, broadcaster Mohamed Barakat broke out in song and began performing “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)” by Shakira.
      The clip went viral on social media following South Africa’s victory as fans reacted to the unique commentary.
      READ MORE ON AFCON
      One said: “I love how unhinged Arabic commentary is. Feels real and connected rather that whatever s*** they spew in EPL.”
      Another added: “This is Afcon heritage.”
      A third replied: “More of this please, commentators!”
      While a fourth responded: “Honestly, the best thing about BeIN is the Arabic commentators. They’re absolutely GOAT’ed lol.
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      “I don’t envy those who see the games without Arabic commentary.”
      South Africa will now face Nigeria on Wednesday as they eye a first Africa Cup of Nations final since 1998.
      In the other semi, hosts Ivory Coast take on DR Congo, with the final set to take place on Sunday. More

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      Tottenham star Yves Bissouma has been playing with MALARIA at Afcon after falling ill, confirms coach

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      YVES BISSOUMA has been playing at the Africa Cup of Nations despite suffering from MALARIA.The Tottenham star suffered heartbreak in the quarter-finals as host nation Ivory Coast knocked out Mali.
      Yves Bissouma has been suffering from malaria at AfconCredit: Getty
      Eric Chelle confirmed the Tottenham star’s conditionCredit: AP
      Ivory Coast knocked Mali out of Afcon in the quarter-finalsCredit: AFP
      Mali were beaten despite leading going into the closing stages of the match.
      Brighton and Hove Albion star Simon Adingra equalised for Ivory Coast in the 90th minute to force extra-time.
      The match looked set to be decided on penalties until Oumar Diakité fired the winner in the 122nd minute.
      Ivory Coast’s achievement was even more remarkable as they were reduced to ten men in the 43rd minute as Odilon Kossounou was sent off for two bookable offences.
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      After the winning goal both teams had players see red as Diakité followed his goal with wild celebrations that saw him given his marching orders.
      Mali’s Hamari Traoré was also sent off for his complaints to the referee.
      Mali head coach Eric Chelle confirmed that Bissouma as well as Moussa Diarra had been playing in the tournament with malaria.
      The coach insisted that Bissouma’s case was “not so serious” due to him being born in West Africa.
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      This meant that the midfielder was able to play, but Diarra’s case was different.
      Chelle said: “You know Yves and Moussa were suffering from malaria, regarding the blood tests.
      “It’s not so serious, because someone born in West Africa is used to malaria, he could play but for Moussa it was different.
      “It was the first time he contracted malaria, so he started some light training.
      “We’ll take things carefully, but there’s no outbreak or anything.”
      Ivory Coast will face DR Congo in the semi-final.
      DR Congo reached the final four after a brilliant win against Guinea.
      During the game, former West Ham star Arthur Masuaku scored a stunning replica goal from his time in the Premier League.
      South Africa have also reached the semis after beating Cape Verde on penalties in which Manchester United flop Bebe missed from the spot and will face Nigeria. More