In a captivating showdown at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana secured their place in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-finals for the first time since 2000.
Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams emerged as the hero, saving four crucial penalties in a dramatic shootout against Cape Verde, following a goalless 120 minutes of play.
The semi-final clash with Nigeria’s Super Eagles is set to take place on Feb. 7 at Stade De Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire, at 6:00 p.m. Nigerian time. The upcoming encounter adds another chapter to the football rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa, who have faced each other 15 times in competitive football since 1992.
In their previous encounters, the Super Eagles have dominated with eight victories, while Bafana Bafana managed to secure two wins, with five matches ending in draws. Nigeria reached the semi-finals after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Angola, setting the stage for an eagerly awaited clash with the winner of the quarter-final between Cape Verde and South Africa.
The quarter-final against Cape Verde proved to be a tense battle, with both teams showcasing stellar defending and top-class goalkeeping in a goalless first half. Despite numerous chances in the second half and extra time, neither team could find the breakthrough, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
South Africa’s Fagrie Lakay and Cape Verde’s Vozinha played crucial roles, with Lakay forcing a superb save and Vozinha denying multiple goal-scoring opportunities. In added time, Cape Verde came close to stealing the win, but Gelson Tavares’ shot hit the bar, leaving the scoreline at 0-0 after 90 minutes and extra time.
The additional 30 minutes brought more opportunities, but the deadlock persisted, leading to a penalty shootout. Ronwen Williams’ exceptional performance in goal ensured South Africa emerged victorious with a 5-3 scoreline on penalties, eliminating Cape Verde from the 2023 AFCON tournament.
With the semi-final against Nigeria on the horizon, both teams are poised for a high-stakes encounter in their quest for AFCON glory. The tournament, which commenced on Jan. 13 in Cote d’Ivoire, is set to conclude on Feb. 11. Football enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the outcome of the semi-final clash between these two African football powerhouses.
