'I would have them as the favourites' - Ex-Bafana Bafana captain backs Super Eagles to win 2023 AFCON

Former Bafana Bafana captain Dean Furman has backed Nigeria to go all the way and win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. 

Furman's South Africa caused a big shock on Tuesday by beating pre-tournament favourites Morocco 2-0 in a round of 16 match at the Laurent Pokou Stadium, San Pédro.

Although  Morocco were missing two key players in Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal, South Africa were the better team and advanced to the quarterfinals thanks to second half goals from  Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena. 

Nigeria could potentially face South Africa in a mouthwatering semifinal clash at the Stade de la Paix, Bouaké if the two countries see off dark horses Angola and Cape Verde in the quarterfinals.

Interestingly the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana have been defensively solid at the ongoing AFCON, having kept three consecutive clean sheets. 

Reigning African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen has yet to really light up the tournament with goals having netted once from fifteen attempts but he has dome some positive things for Nigeria including winning a game-winning penalty, forcing an own goal and bagging an assist. 

Speaking ahead of South Africa's semifinal clash with Cape Verde, Furman told the BBC World Service  :"I don't want to speak too soon because Cape Verde we played them twice in 2017 in the World Cup qualifiers, we lost to them twice. 

"2013 AFCON opening game at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, everyone expected us to win. It was a draw and if I'm honest, we should have lost that game so I'm not taking them lightly at all, it's going to be a very, very tough game but it's anyone's.

"The so-called big nations, the fancied nation Nigeria are going about their work in an understated fashion but I think they are ticking on really nicely so I would have them down as the favourites right now."

Ten players in the South Africa side play for the same club Mamelodi Sundowns, who have been a dominant force in South Afrian and African football over the last few years.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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