Soccer
Williams brilliance sends Bafana into AFCON semi-finals─── MORGAN PIEK 07:14 Sun, 04 Feb 2024

“This journey has been tough but we soldiered on as a team so I will accept this on behalf of each and every player in Bafana Bafana.”
The Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams was the hero for South Africa in Yamoussoukro on Saturday night as they qualified for the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
South Africa are into the last four for the first time in 24-years after beating a determined and physical Cape Verde 2-1 on penalties.
The match ended in a goalless stalemate after added extra time, however, a fine Williams save in goal in the stroke of full time denied Cape Verde what would have been an historic win.
The best of Williams was yet to come, and that was in the penalty shootout where Williams kept the pressure on Cape Verde by saving three consecutive penalties. His first save marked the first penalty save by a goalkeeper at the AFCON this year.
The Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper proceeded to save a total of four penalties in the shootout to Africa’s top-ranked team advance.
Bryan Teixeira managed to get a penalty past Williams, but he dove in the right direction and the ball missed his hands by mere centimetres.
South Africa's penalty takers weren't on song either as Zakhele Lepasa missed his penalty, while the Cape Verde goalkeeper, Josimar Dias saved the attempt by Aubrey Modiba. Tehobo Mokoena and the Theunissen-born Motobi Mvala managed to find the back of the net.
Following the stunning display in the goal during the shootout, Williams credited his teammates for the win while he collected the man of the match award.
“It was tough - they played their part and it was my time to play my part,” said Williams.
“I am just glad that we are in the next round. This is not mine but it is for the collective. The staff, technical team and each player.
“This journey has been tough but we soldiered on as a team so I will accept this on behalf of each and every player in Bafana Bafana.”
Meanwhile, over in Bouaké, the hosts Ivory Coast advanced after fighting back against Mali. Nene Dorgeles opened the scoring in the 71st minute for Mali, but the Elephants managed to equalise through Simon Adingra on the stroke of full time. It was Oumar Diakité who was the hero for the Ivorians after scoring the winner in the dying seconds of the added extra time.
On Wednesday night, South Africa will face the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the semi-finals, while Ivory Coast will take on the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Morgan Piek OFM Sport