Nigeria will be playing in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON for the 16th time, joining the Pharaohs at the top of the list of countries with the most appearances in the last four of the competition, CAFONLINE reports.

The Super Eagles secured their ticket to the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023 after a 1-0 win over Angola through Ademola Lookman’s strike.

Nigeria competes for the 16th time in 20 appearances in the semi-finals, equaling a record set by Egypt, who have also reached the last four 16 times in 26 appearances.

Behind these record-holders, Ghana comes third with 14 semi-finals played in 24 appearances.

Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire have each reached the semi-finals of Africa football’s showpiece event ten times.

Nigeria, however, has only lifted the trophy three times, with Egypt winning it seven times as the record holder, followed by Cameroon, who have won it five times, and Ghana, who have four trophies.

On Wednesday, 7th February 2024, José Peseiro and his men will face South Africa to play in the semi-finals, hoping to qualify for their 8th final, one less than Ghana, two less than Egypt, and one more than Cameroon.