Ronwen Williams was at his incredible best as he saved four penalties during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals shootout against Cape Verde, handing South Africa a 2-1 victory after a goalless 120 minutes in Yamoussoukro.
Bafana Bafana produced one of the biggest upsets of the tournaments by dispatching favorites Morocco in the previous round while the Blue Sharks edged past Mauritania.
Not much was created in 120 minutes of action however Williams had to be alert to stop efforts of Garry Rodrigues and Benchimol in the 56th and 93rd minute respectively while Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha had to make a double save in the second minute of extra time.
The penalty shootout however belonged to Williams as he saved Bebe and Willy Semedo’s spot kicks. Though South Africa missed two penalties of their own, Teboho Mokoena and Mothobi Mvala were able to convert theirs which proved crucial as Cape Verde converted just one penalty via Bryan Teixeira.
Bafana Bafana are through to the SEMI FINALS, after beating the Blue Sharks on penalties.
What a match!????#Afroaport #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 #CPVRSA pic.twitter.com/mCnZkgRWjB
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) February 3, 2024
Patrick Andrade stepped up to take Cape Verde’s fifth penalty and Williams was equal to the task in stopping it, handing South Africa their first AFCON semi-final since 2000 and will face familiar foes Nigeria in Bouake on Wednesday.
