VIDEO. CAN 2024: South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams' incredible penalty shootout to qualify his side for the semi-final

Williams, héros de la nation arc-en-ciel. MAXPPP – Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

South Africa, with a fantastic Ronwen Williams in goal, advanced to the African Cup of Nations semi-finals against Nigeria by eliminating Cape Verde 2 shots on goal to 1 (0-0 ap), during the last quarter-final, Saturday evening in Yamoussoukro.

The hero of the match was Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who saved four shots on goal. Against the Nigerians, the South Africans will try next Wednesday (6 p.m.) in Bouaké to reach a new CAN final after the one won in 1996 and the one lost in 1998.

The first half was quite clearly dominated by Cape Verde who, however, never really appeared dangerous as they approached the goal guarded by Ronwen Williams. The first real scoring opportunity did not come until the 56th minute when Cape Verdean center forward Garry Rodrigues, thrown on the edge of offside by left back Joao Paulo , found himself alone in front of the opposing goal.

But the poorly adjusted curled shot from the Blue Sharks center forward found the South African goalkeeper (56th). Then in the 78th minute, on a new Cape Verdean offensive, Olympiakos striker Jovane sent a recovery from just over, receiving a cross from the right of Kenny Rocha Santos.

Four saves out of five attempts

And in added time of regulation time, Williams saved his team by diverting a shot from Gilson "Benchimol" onto the crossbar. Tavares who appeared alone in front of him (90+2).

At the start of extra time, the Bafana Bafana of Belgian coach Hugo Broos in turn came close to opening the scoring when Mihlali Mayambela came up against the goalkeeper Vozinha, author of a disaster rescue (92nd).

The penalty shootout finally smiled on Bafana Bafana, with a prodigious Williams in goal, who deflected four of the five Cape Verdean attempts.