Nigeria coach wants better attacking display against South Africa

Nigeria coach José Peseiro has called on his attacking players to “step up” ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations semifinal against South Africa in Bouake on Wednesday.

The Super Eagles have been quietly efficient in reaching the last-4, with three 1-0 wins in their last four games. The other was a 2-0 success against Cameroon.

But their opponents South Africa have also kept four clean sheets in a row, and Peseiro knows his team will have a tough time breaking down a resolute Bafana Bafana.

"We're missing some key creators like (Kelechi) Iheanacho and (Joe) Aribo, so it's been hard. But others must now step up," he said.

Ademola Lookman has scored Nigeria’s last three goals at the finals in the Ivory Coast, and Victor Osimhen got a goal in their pool opener against Equatorial Guinea.

But the other two strikes have been a penalty from William Troost-Ekong and an own goal from Guinea-Bissau’s Opa Sangante.

That means four goals from open play in around eight-and-a-half hour of football.

"Once again we played (against Angola in the quarterfinals) without conceding, scored a goal, but I would have liked more. The team could have created more opportunities,” Peseiro said.

"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 (in attack)."