SA goalkeeper saves four penalties in shootout win

South Africa made it to the semi-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after Captain Ronwen Williams came through with four impressive penalty saves in their match against Cape Verde. The final score was 0-0.

The players Bebe, Willy Semedo, Laros Duarte, and Patrick Andrade all failed to score in the penalty shootout. However, the goalkeeper Williams made impressive saves, including a remarkable one to deflect Gilson Benchimol's shot onto the post, ultimately leading to extra time in the challenging quarter-final match.

In the beginning of the extra time, Vozinha, the goalkeeper of Cape Verde, showcased his remarkable talent by saving two consecutive shots from Mihlali Mayambela and Teboho Mokoena.

South Africa has an opportunity to get revenge for their loss against Nigeria during their previous appearance in the Afcon semi-finals. Back in 2000, the Super Eagles beat them 2-0.

South Africa Advances To Semi-finals With Williams' Performance

One moment from the match might stand out as the most important save of the entire tournament. It was the closest either team came to scoring in the standard game time, which was mostly defined by bad shooting.

It is highly probable that Williams will be considered for the title of Best Goalkeeper once the tournament concludes. His quick reaction in the form of a fingertip save, where he leaped in the air to stop Benchimol's attempt by a tiny margin, was truly impressive.

The 32-year-old exceeded expectations by performing even better when he blocked Cape Verde's initial three penalty attempts. He made these blocks by lunging to his right and leaping in the opposite direction to thwart Andrade. It appeared that he checked some notes on a water bottle in between each kick.

In the beginning, Cape Verde had the ball more often, but then Teboho Mokoena, a midfielder from South Africa, shot the ball straight at Vozinha. Afterwards, Themba Zwane and Evidence Makgopa both missed shots from good positions at different ends of the field.

Percy Tau was in a good position to take the shot, and Khuliso Mudau, who was off-balance, managed to wedge the ball behind the goal in the early stages of the game. This was a great move by South Africa and Mudau played a key role in it.

During half-time, there was a moment of tension in which Tau allegedly shoved Kenny Rocha Santos. The referee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jean-Jacques Ndala, chose not to penalize either player.

The occurrence marked the end of the initial half of the game which was not very impressive. This caused a few people in the audience at Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro to find their own amusement by loudly rejoicing Ivory Coast's last-minute triumph over Mali in the earlier quarter-final game that took place on Saturday after prolonged playing time.

Garry Rodrigues, who scored the winning goal for Cape Verde against Ghana in their first match, started for the first time in the tournament, taking the spot of former Manchester United player Bebe. Rocha Santos also replaced Deroy Duarte in midfield for the Blue Sharks. Rodrigues was the star in the previous game, and it was a strategic decision for him to start this time. Santos was chosen to bring more strength to the midfield.

Using clever timing and precision, Joao Paulo Fernandes forwarded a smart ground pass from the side, sending Rodrigues towards the opposition's penalty box. However, the winger's shot landed right in Williams' grasp.

Cape Verde had two great opportunities back to back when Bebe came in for Rodrigues towards the end of the second half. Rocha Santos attempted a shot after clever work by the substitute, but it was blocked. Shortly after, Jovane Cabral took a shot but it went over the target.

As the shootout intensified, Mokoena successfully scored a point for South Africa. However, Zakhele Lepasa missed his attempt by sending the ball too high, while Aubrey Modiba's shot was blocked by Vozinha. In the end, Hugo Broos' team emerged victorious with a score of 2-1. This intense moment caused many nerves to fray.

Broos has been using the same starting lineup for his team's previous four matches, and they might have a tougher challenge ahead as they go up against their next opponents. These opponents have made it to the semi-finals in 13 out of 15 Afcon appearances and have managed to keep their goal clean for the past four games.

South Africa has managed to replicate that defensive pattern, which they have done for the very first occasion in their 11th appearance at the final event.

Given the excellent performance of Williams, it could require a remarkable effort from Victor Osimhen and his fellow players to defeat the 1996 victors. In order to achieve victory against the three-time champions in Bouake on Wednesday (17:00 GMT), the 1996 champions will need to close a 24-point difference in Fifa's rankings.

Match official: Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo

The game is complete with Cabo Verde scoring zero points and South Africa coming out on top with two points.

The Penalty Shootout has concluded with a score of Cabo Verde 0 (1) and South Africa 0 (2).

Saved! Patrick Andrade from Cabo Verde took a shot with his left foot, but the goalkeeper blocked it right in the middle of the goal.

Score! Cabo Verde fails to score while South Africa takes the lead with a penalty kick from Mothobi Mvala's right foot, sending the ball to the bottom left corner of the goalpost.

Score! Cabo Verde and South Africa are tied 0-0, but Bryan Teixeira from Cabo Verde just scored a goal by successfully taking a penalty kick with his right foot and shooting it into the lower right side of the goal.

The goalkeeper prevented a penalty from being scored. Aubrey Modiba from South Africa aimed a shot with his left foot, but the goalkeeper was able to stop it in the middle of the goal.

The penalty kick was stopped. Laros Duarte from Cabo Verde attempted to score with their right foot in the lower left-hand corner, but the opposing team's goalkeeper successfully prevented the goal.

The penalty was not successful! Cabo Verde and South Africa are still tied at 0-0 (1). Zakhele Lepasa (playing for South Africa) took a shot with his right foot, but it hit the bar and did not go in.

The penalty has been prevented. Willy Semedo from Cabo Verde took a shot with his right foot and it was saved in the lower left-hand corner.

Score! Cabo Verde and South Africa were tied at zero until the penalty shootout. Teboho Mokoena from South Africa successfully scored with a right footed shot to the top left corner.

The penalty kick was stopped. Bebé from Cape Verde took the shot with his right foot, but the goalkeeper saved it by diving to the bottom left corner.

The Penalty Shootout is about to start with a score of Cabo Verde 0 and South Africa 0.

The added period of the second half has come to a close, with Cabo Verde and South Africa still tied at a score of zero.

The shot taken by Bebé from Cabo Verde using his right foot missed the target and went towards the left side. Bryan Teixeira helped him in this attempt.

In the game between Substitution and Cabo Verde, there was a change on the field. Kenny Rocha was replaced by Bryan Teixeira.

Benchimol from Cabo Verde made an offside mistake and was penalized.

The goalie managed to prevent a shot from Teboho Mokoena, who used his right foot from afar. It was aimed at the center of the goal, but the goalkeeper was able to make a save. Terrence Mashego provided assistance during the play.

Shot missed. Nyiko Mobbie (South Africa) got a shot off with their right foot from a distance of more than 35 yards but missed the target to the left.

Violation committed by Willy Semedo from Cape Verde.

In the defensive half, Sphephelo Sithole from South Africa has earned himself a free kick.