South Africa have advanced into the final four of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after they defeated Cape Verde 2-1 on penalties – following a 0-0 draw after extra time – at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro on Saturday night.
Both teams had chances to find the back of the net throughout an evenly-contested 120 minutes, but goalkeepers Ronwen Williams and Vozinha each made some critical saves to keep the score line blank and send the game to a shootout.
And Williams then firmly established himself as the hero of the day, turning away four of the Blue Sharks’ penalties to see his side advance into the semifinals.
Cape Verde had the better chances in what remained of the regulation 90 and should have snatched victory two minutes into injury time when substitute Gilson Tavares went free in the penalty area, but his powerful effort was tipped onto the woodwork by Williams to send the game to an extra half hour.
Early in extra time Vozinha made two fine saves in quick succession to keep out efforts from Mihlali Mayambela and Evidence Makgopa, before Gilson whipped a shot across the face of goal at the other end.
The second half of extra time saw no clear chances at either end, though South Africa suffered a notable injury blow when potential penalty taker Maseko pulled up with a hamstring issue and was replaced by Terrence Mashego.
Yet the shootout was dominated by the brilliant Williams, who kept out kicks from Bebe, Semedo, Duarte and Andrade to see his side claim a 2-1 win and advance into the final four of an Afcon for the first time since 2000.