In a nail-biting encounter that will go down in the annals of South African football history, the Bafana Bafana emerged victorious against Cape Verde in a dramatic penalty shootout, securing a spot in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-finals for the first time since 2000.
The hero of the night was South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, whose remarkable performance in the penalty shootout propelled his team to glory. Williams made four crucial saves, including a pivotal stop in the sudden-death phase, ensuring South Africa’s progression to the semi-finals exactly 28 years after their only continental triumph in 1996.
The match, characterized by a strategic first half where both teams prioritized defensive solidity, eventually opened up in the latter stages. Garry Rodrigues of Cape Verde had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock, but his miscued effort from a promising position landed safely in the arms of Williams.
Cape Verde’s decision to withdraw key players, including all-time top scorer Ryan Mendes and Rodrigues, suggested a tactical move towards settling for penalties. However, the Blue Sharks continued to press forward, testing Williams with Gilson’s fierce effort, which the South African goalkeeper brilliantly tipped onto the post.
As the game entered extra time, South Africa sought to capitalize on the momentum. Vozinha, the Cape Verde goalkeeper, showcased his skills in denying close-range efforts from Mihlali Mayambela and Evidence Makgopa. Despite Vozinha’s heroics, the match would ultimately be decided from the penalty spot.
South Africa’s Williams proved to be the penalty shootout maestro, becoming the first goalkeeper at this year’s AFCON to save a penalty. He went on to save two more, securing a remarkable three consecutive saves. The crucial fifth Cape Verde kick was also denied by Williams, sealing South Africa’s thrilling progression to the semi-finals.
Manager Hugo Broos, who had previously claimed AFCON glory with underdogs Cameroon in 2019, seems to be instilling a winning formula in the Bafana Bafana. With clean sheets, unchanged starting XIs, and the brilliance of players like Teboho Mokoena, South Africa will now face Nigeria in a highly anticipated semi-final showdown, as they look to recreate the magic of their historic 1996 triumph.
