South Africa goalkeeper, Williams put up an outstanding performance by saving four penalties to help his team reach semi-final
South Africa will take on Nigeria’s Super Eagles in one of the semi-finals of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after beating Cape Verde on penalties.
Captain Ronwen Williams saved four penalties to help the Bafana Bafana reach the semi-finals following a 0-0 draw against the Blue Sharks after extra time.
HugoBroos’ team needed to score only one of their penalties to win the shootout after Bebe, Willy Semedo, Laros Duarte and Patrick Andrade were all denied in the shootout by Williams, who has earlier made a spectacular late save to tip Gilson Benchimol’s first-time strike against the woodwork.
His heroics ensure the gruelling quarter-final entered extra time as Cape Verde came on strongly towards the end of the game but most importantly, ensured victory,
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However, prior to this, Cape Verde goalkeeper, Vozinha had made two saves in quick succession shortly after extra time began to deny Mihlali Mayambela and Teboho Mokoena.
With the win, South Africa will now have the opportunity to avenge their defeat by Super Eagles on their last appearance in the AFCON semi-finals, when they were beaten 2-0 by the Super Eagles in 2000.
Meanwhile, hosts, Cote d’Ivoire will meet DR Congo who defeated Guinea 3-1 in one of AFCON’s last 8 games in the other semi-final clash after edging past Mali despite playing the encounter with a man down.
The Elephants made it to the last four against all odds after a wobbly start which saw them lose two group games, one of which was a 4-1 annihilation in front of a packed stadium to one of the tournament’s dark horses, Equatorial Guinea.
