South Africa coach Hugo Broos has labelled Nigeria “the most improved team” as the two sides prepare to face off in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in Bouake, Ivory Coast on Wednesday.

Bafana Bafana booked their berth with a dramatic 2-1 penalty shoot-out victory over Cape Verde in which goalkeeper Ronwen Williams saved a tournament record four spot-kicks while the Super Eagles dumped out Angola 1-0 in the last eight.

“Nigeria are a team who have become better and better with every game at this AFCON,” Broos said, adding: “It’s a good team and a very good side with a few good players like the one, what’s his name? Look … (Ademola Lookman). The one who scored the goal.

“He is a very good player. We have to analyse them a little bit more now that we know we are playing against them in the semi-finals. We will see how we can use the weaknesses in this team and be aware of the qualities of this team. It’s going to be a little bit special because in a few months we are playing in the World Cup qualifiers. So, it can be a test for the both of us.”

Broos continued: “Being in the semi-finals is something special for South African football. Let’s hope now that we can make a surprise here because the hunger is big to play the final on Sunday.”