AFCON / AFC Cup Semi-Finals..

We are nearly at the end of the month long double tournament shenanigans, and PL clubs can get their remaining players back.
Both pre-tournament favourites, Senegal and Japan, have already fallen, but the host countries, Qatar and Cote d'Ivoire, are still going strong.

--------------AFCON 2023 - Today---------
Nigeria (4-2 on pens) South Africa - 17:00 Sky Sports and BBC 2
Penalties proved to be the key to the game. 2 in normal time, both scored. Nigeria had a claim for another late in extra time, but the red card producing foul was outside the box.
Quarter final hero Ronwen Williams couldn't repeat his heroics as Mokoena and Makgopa missed penalties for South Africa meaning Aina blazing over for Nigeria didn't matter.

Cote d'Ivoire vs DR Congo - 20:00 Sky Sports and BBC 3
What a rollercoaster for the hosts!! After starting with a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau, the Ivorians hit self-destruction. Nigeria beat them 1-0 before Equatorial-Guinea hammered them 4-0, which seemed to put them out. The manager was sacked before results elsewhere saved them. Facing Senegal in the next round and going 1 down after 4 minutes seemed to be the start of the end, but the Ivorians suddenly found some form. It took a late penalty to take the tie into extra time then penalties, and one miss from Senegal meant Ivory Coasts perfection see them through. Their quarter final also saw a comeback. A 43rd minute red for Ivory Coast gave Mali a big advantage, and when they took the lead in the 71st minute it seemed curtains for the hosts. The game was in injury time when an Adringa equaliser saved the hosts once more. As it looked like penalties, Diakite scored a dramatic 121st minute winner - and got sent off in the celebrations.
DR Congo drew their way out of the groups and then faced a Salah-less Egypt. Perhaps unsurprisingly the game ended level, and penalties were needed. 18 were needed for DRC to progress. They finally won a game in the quarter, a 3-1 win over Guinea.
Yoane Wissa is the DRC top scorer with 2, while Cote d'Ivoire have shared their 5 goals between five players.

At 23/20 Ivory Coast are favourites, with DRC 29/10. With these two, a draw after 90 minutes @ 2/1 may be wise.

Nigeria are tournament favourites at 6/5, Cote d'Ivoire are 2/1, DRC 5/1 and South Africa 6/1.


------------------AFC Asian Cup 2023--------------------------------
Jordan 2-0 South Korea
Jordan upset the odds with a rather comfortable win. Despite dominating possession in the first half, South Korea failed to turn it into chances and Jordan looked more dangerous. Half time was goalless but Jordan opened the scoring early in the second half through Al Naimat. Al-Tamari added a second after 66 minutes and South Korea offered little in reply. Despite the 70% possession, South Korea failed to get a single shot on target from 8 efforts and Jordan had 7 from their 17 shots total.
A well deserved win for Jordan, South Korea may point to the schedule and two extra time games as an excuse for their performance.

Iran 2-3 Qatar
The hosts and holders are through! In a topsy turvy game, Iran took an early lead after just 4 minutes. Qatar quickly equalised, and took the lead just before half time.
6 minutes into the second half Iran got a penalty and Jahanbakhsh converted. With 8 minutes to go Almoez Ali won it for Qatar. Iran had a red in injury time as they chased a second equaliser.

Qatar meet Jordan in the final on Saturday.



Should be fun, and I am sure Spurs and Wolves fans will be cheering on Jordan...
The Asian final is on Saturday at 3pm.
Africa have a 3rd place play-off on Saturday at 8 and the final on Sunday also at 8, both on Sky with the final also on BBC 3.