The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has steamrolled into the crucial semifinal stage with the best four teams remaining in the competition all gunning for the ultimate trophy that will make them African champions.

All the four teams standing— Nigeria, South Africa, DR Congo and host, Ivory Coast— all have eyes on the trophy, and as it stands, there is no writing off any of them.

On Saturday, the host, who came out of the group stage as the third best loser, came from a goal down to knock out Mali, while South Africa eliminated stubborn Cape Verde on penalties.

Before then, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, currently the highest ranked team left in the tournament, had shown champions’ stuff by becoming the first country to book a spot in the semifinals with a 1-0 victory over Angola, while DR Congo came from behind to beat Guinea 3-1.

Africanewswatch.com takes a look at the four teams getting set to battle for the final scheduled for February 11.

Nigeria

On current form, the Super Eagles stand as the most experienced team at this stage with its 16th semi-final appearance in the AFCON tournament.

Despite entering the tournament as favorites, the team had faced damning criticism, especially from some fans who never believed the team could even get out of their group.

But the coach Jose Peseiro-tutored team are now the fans’ favourites with their composed and experienced display which has seen them yet to get into second gear.

The team has also conceded only one goal on it’s way to the semi-finals and is the only team to reach the semi-final without playing an extra time, which will make them fresh against South Africa on Wednesday, February 7.

DR Congo

DR Congo proved its burgeoning prowess when defeating Guinea in the quarter-finals, stamping its authority as one of Africa’s emerging football force to reckon with.

Facing the Syli National, in the quarters, the Leopards displayed raw strength and overcame an early goal to win 3-1.

The victory marked the fifth time in the history of DR Congo that they have reached the semi-finals of the Cup of Nations.

It is interesting to note that the DRC actually won the African Nations Cup in 1968 and 1974 when they were still known as Zaire.

Ivory Coast

The host of the 2023 AFCON must be the luckiest country left in the tournament as they barely made out of the group and scrapped through to the round of 16 as one of the third best losers.

The Elephants were almost eliminated after a 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea, but a quick change in the coaching setup saw them bounce back to eliminate the reigning African champions, Senegal.

They made further progress in the quarter final match in a dramatic victory over Mali, with Oumar Diakité’s last-minute goal securing their place in the semi-finals.

This will be Ivory Coast’s ninth semi-final appearance in the AFCON, when they take on DR Congo, setting the stage for a rematch of the 2015 semi-final where the Elephants emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.

South Africa

The Bafana Bafana’s return to the pinnacle of African football after a 24-year absence is a thing to celebrate with their progress to the semi-finals after defeating a stubborn Cape Verde on penalties.

After losing its first group match, the South Africans girded up in the next group matches, winning them convincingly, before knocking out one of the pre-tournament favourites, Morocco.

But how they will fare against the rock-solid Super Eagles on Wednesday will be a testament of their mental strength.

In their last semi-final appearance, South Africa suffered a 2-0 loss to Nigeria in 2000, so much like a revenge will be on their mind come February 7.