Nigeria continued their stranglehold over South Africa at Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, with a 2-1 win at Cairo International Stadium on Wednesday evening, to book their place in the 2019 tournament semifinals.

The Super Eagles beat South Africa at both the 2000 and 2004 Afcon tournaments and made it three from three at Africa's showpiece in the Egyptian capital.

Following a rather cagey start to the clash, Nigeria opened the scoring through Samuel Chukwueze in the 27th minute.

The Villarreal winger saw his initial attempt blocked by Buhle Mkhwanazi, but he showed great composure to slot home the rebound.

Chukwueze almost doubled his country's lead moments before the break, but after weaving his way past Sifiso Hlanti the attacker had his goal bound effort blocked by Dean Furman.

Nigeria continued their dominance following the interval and were only denied a second by the outstretched arm of Rowen Williams who pulled off a superb save to deny Peter Etebo's free-kick from bulging the back of the net.

Bafana Bafana duly found the equaliser with their first chance of the match as Bongani Zungu nodded a looping header past Daniel Akpeyi. The linesman initial chalked the goal off, but after consulting VAR, the match official rightfully overturned the decision.

Nigeria, though, would regain their lead in the 89th minute. With the game seemingly heading for an additional 30 minutes of extra-time, William Troost-Ekong popped up at the far post to poke home the ball after Ronwen Williams failed to punch clear Moses Simon's corner-kick.

The Super Eagles will next face either Algeria or Ivory Coast for a place in the final.

Nigeria (1) 2 (Chukwueze 27' Troost-Ekong 89')

South Africa (0) 1 (Zungu 71')

Nigeria: Akpeyi; Collins, Ekong, Awaziem, Omeruo, Ndidi, Etebo, Iwobi (Balogun 90+2'), Musa (Simon 81'), Chukwueze, Ighalo.

South Africa: Williams; Hlanti, Mkhwanazi, Hlatshwayo, Mkhize, Furman, Mokotjo, Zungu, Lorch (Zwane 58'), Tau, Mothiba (Veldwijk 86').

The two nations have faced each other on numerous occasions over the last few years, but for the first time in 15 years Nigeria and South Africa will do battle on Africa's biggest stage.

The two proud countries will come to blows in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal clash at Cairo International Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Kick-off is at 21h00 CAT.

Bafana Bafana booked their place in the last eight with a shock 1-0 win over hosts Egypt in Cairo on Saturday evening. Thembinkosi Lorch's 85th minute goal sent 80, 000 Pharaohs fans into absolute silence as the 1996 champions marched on.

The Super Eagles caused somewhat of an upset themselves, despite being slight favourites, Nigeria still knocked out the defending champions with a 3-2 win over Cameroon sealed by Arsenal's Alex Iwobi following a brace from Odion Ighalo.

Historically, Nigeria have dominated meetings between the two nations, but South Africa are unbeaten in their last five matches against the West African nation.

Bafana Bafana claimed a surprise 2-0 win in Nigeria two years ago - on route to qualifying for the 2019 tournament - before fighting back to hold the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw in the most recent meeting between the two nations last year.

Nigeria, though, hold the trump card when it comes to Afcon meetings and notably thumped Bafana Bafana 4-0 at the 2004 tournament hosted in Tunisia, with Peter Odemwingie scoring two goals in two minutes to complete the rout.

The winner will face either Ivory Coast or Algeria for a place in the 2019 Afcon final at the same venue on Sunday.