Africa Cup of Nations 2023: Ronwen Williams saves four penalties as South Africa beat Cape Verde on penalties

Captain Ronwen Williams saved four penalty kicks to help South Africa reach the semi-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after a 0-0 draw with Cape Verde.

Cape Verdean goalkeeper Fosinha made exceptional saves from two successive chances shortly after the start of extra time, denying Mihlali Mayambila and Teboho Mokoena from scoring.

South Africa will now have a chance to avenge their defeat to Nigeria in their last Africa Cup of Nations semi-final appearance, when they lost 2-0 to the Super Eagles in 2000.

Williams sends South Africa to the semi-finals

It is perhaps a moment to remember, as it came as close as either team came to saving the championship in regular time during a game largely characterized by poor finishing.

Williams will undoubtedly be a contender for the Goalkeeper of the Year award once the tournament is over, and his fingertip save as he launched into the air to keep out Benchimol's effort by the slimmest of margins was a brilliant reflex stop.

And there was nothing better than the 32-year-old when he stopped Cape Verde's first three penalties by jumping to his right and frustrated Andrade by jumping in the opposite direction, after appearing to review notes written on a water bottle between each kick.

Cape Verde had more possession in the opening minutes before South Africa midfielder Teboho Mokoena fired a shot straight at Vozinha, and then Themba Zwane and Evidence Makgoba both fired wide from promising positions.

With Percy Tau in a better shooting position, an off-balanced Khulisso Mudau curled an early effort in behind as part of a smart South African move that had him in position.

Tau was then involved in a flashpoint before half-time when he appeared to push Kenny Rocha Santos to the ground, with Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala deciding not to take any action against either player.

The incident proved to be the final act of a first half that was far from a classic, prompting some locals in the stands at Yamoussoukro's Charles Conan Pani Stadium to create their own entertainment by celebrating audibly. Ivory Coast beat Mali in the last moments after extra time in the quarter-final match played on Saturday.

gary rodriguez, Who were the champions of Cape Verde with a late victory over Ghana in the opening match of the finalsmade his first start in the tournament in place of former Manchester United striker Pepe, while Rocha Santos replaced Deroy Duarte in the Blue Sharks' midfield.

Joao Paulo Fernandes sent Rodriguez into the box with a low pass from the flank, but the winger sent a shot straight into Williams' arms.

Cape Verde had two good chances in quick succession after Pepe was introduced for Rodriguez late in the second half, with Rocha Santos blocking a shot after hard work from the substitute and Jovan Cabral firing over the bar.

With nerves fraying in the shootout, Mokoena scored for South Africa but Zakhel Lebasa sent his shot high and it was blocked by Aubrey Modiba from Fusinha as Hugo Bruce's side won 2-1.

Bruce has put his faith in an unchanged starting XI in each of his side's past four matches, and their task could be far more difficult against their next opponents, who have reached the semi-finals for the 13th time in 15 Africa Cup of Nations matches and have played four matches. Consecutive clean sheets.

South Africa succeeded in achieving this defensive sequence, for the first time in its eleventh appearance in the finals.

With Williams in such form, it may take something special for Victor Osimhen and co to find a way past the 1996 champions, who will be trying to close a 24-place gap in the FIFA rankings when they face the three-time winners. In Bouaké on Wednesday (17:00 GMT).