Legendary Jojo Bell applauds AFCON standards with semis looming

The 69-year-old legendary shot-stopper, who was part of The Indomitable Lions squad that won the continental title twice in the 80s, is currently part of the CAF technical study groups. 

Bell agrees with the popular opinion that this year’s edition of the AFCON has been pleasantly full of surprises. 

"Scripted tournament? Of course, no. I'm very happy because we get this [sort of] tournament because of some of the teams that work hard to upgrade their level and showing, [and] they have shown a high standard of playing football," said Bell.

"I'm really, really happy. In the past, I had an experience when my son was five, watching the Africa Cup [of Nations] back in 1994 in France, and he told me he zapped the TV – I didn't ask him to watch the AFCON, he wanted to watch it.

"One day I saw that he [switched] to European matches and I didn't say anything – at the end, he told me the AFCON is only interesting from the semi-finals."

The tune has changed now given the drama witnessed in Cote d’Ivoire, where the hosts, Bafana Bafana, Nigeria and DR Congo are the four remaining. 

"Today it's no longer the case, and that's it. It means that we have really improved and I'm very happy," he added.

On Wednesday, Bafana Bafana will face Nigeria in the first semi-final at Stade de la Paix in Bouake at 19:00, before hosts Côte d'Ivoire battle with DR Congo in the second semi-final at Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan at 22:00.

Catch both matches LIVE on SABC Sport Channel, SABC + and sabcsport.com.

READ: Helman Mkhalele looks back at AFCON 2000 semi-final and Nigeria rivalry