South Africa book Nigeria semi-final date
Ronwen Williams will be remembered as a South African cult hero following a spectacular performance that saw the 2010 World Cup hosts dump out Cape Verde.
Williams made four remarkable saves in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to earn South Africa a place in the semi-finals for the first time in over two decades.
After eliminating pre-tournament favourites and highest-ranked African nation, Morocco, in the last 16, South Africa were eager to further their AFCON ambitions against a high-flying, Cape Verde.
However, a drab first-half encounter saw only one shot hit the target, coming from South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena, who tested Cape Verde’s Vozinha from range.
A refreshing second half saw both sides up the ante, and an end-to-end contest ensued. But clear-cut chances remained at a premium, with neither side looking particularly dangerous on the attack.
Neither side could find an elusive winner, sending the game into extra time. But it was South Africa who kicked off the additional 30 minutes with renewed vigour.
Vozinha made himself big to deny Mihlali Mayambela from close range before bettering that save to thwart a header from Evidence Makgopa, ensuring both sides participate in the lottery of a penalty shoot-out.
South Africa stopper, Williams, stole the spotlight, becoming the first goalkeeper at this year’s AFCON to save a penalty. He made four saves, including three in a row to seal Bafana Bafana’s place in the semi-finals against a Nigerian side who overcame Angola through a first-half goal from Ademola Lookman last Friday. —Onefootball
