Afcon 2023: Ronwen Williams saves four penalties as South Africa beat Cape Verde in a penalty shootout

Ronwen Williams made a fine save to deny Gilson Benchimol in second-half injury time and save four penalties as South Africa beat Cape Verde

Ronwen Williams saved four penalties in the shootout as part of an outstanding goalkeeping performance to help South Africa reach the semi-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a murderous victory over Cape Verde after a goalless draw after extra time.

Bebe, Willy Semedo, Laros Duarte and Bryan Teixeira were all denied by the talented Williams, who also made a spectacular late save to deny Gilson Benchimol's first goal against the woodwork as extra time loomed, in a contest largely dominated by a poor one conclusion was shaped.

Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vozinha also made two extraordinary saves in quick succession against Mihlali Mayambela and Teboho Mokoena shortly after the start of extra time.

South Africa now have a chance to avenge their loss to Nigeria in their last appearance in the Afcon semi-finals, when they were beaten 2-0 by the Super Eagles in 2000.

The 1996 champions will try to close a 24-place gap in the Fifa rankings when they face the three-time winners in Bouake on Wednesday (5:00 p.m. GMT).

Lineups

Cape Verde

formation 4-3-3

1Évora Dias

23Moreira5Evans Costa4Lopes8thMoreira Fernandes

10Monteiro Alvarenga26Gonçalves Pereira de Pina18Rocha Santos

20Mendes da Graça7Borges Cabral11Mendes Rodrigues

• 1Évora Dias
• 23Moreira
• 5Evans Costa
• 4Lopes
• 8thMoreira Fernandes
• 10Monteiro AlvarengaReplaced byd'Encarnação Duarteat 86'protocol
• 26Gonçalves Pereira de PinaReplaced byCorreia Andradeat 65'protocol
• 18Rocha SantosReplaced bySilva Teixeira Jr.at 119'protocol
• 20Mendes da GraçaBooked for 27 minutesReplaced byJohnson Semedo Afonsoat 65'protocol
• 7Borges CabralReplaced byBenchimol Tavaresat 87'protocol
• 11Mendes RodriguesReplaced byDias Correiaat 72'protocol

Substitute

• 2dos Santos Tavares
• 3Monteiro Sanches Borges
• 6Correia Andrade
• 9Benchimol Tavares
• 13Pereira Fernandes
• 14D'Encarnação Duarte
• 15d'Encarnação Duarte
• 16Tavares dos Santos
• 17Johnson Semedo Afonso
• 19Silva Teixeira Jr.
• 21Dias Correia
• 24Garcia da Silva

South Africa

formation 4-2-3-1

1Williams

20Mudau18Kekana14Close it6Modiba

4Mokoena13We found out

23Morena11Called10Yes

9The mussels

• 1Williams
• 20MudauReplaced byMobbieat 103'protocol
• 18Kekana
• 14Close it
• 6Modiba
• 4Mokoena
• 13We found out
• 23MorenaReplaced byMasekoat 63'protocolReplaced byMashegoat 114'protocol
• 11CalledReplaced byAdamsat 90'protocol
• 10YesReplaced byMayambelaat 85'protocol
• 9The musselsReplaced byLepasaat 103'protocol

Substitute

• 2Mobbie
• 3Mashego
• 5Xulu
• 7Appollis
• 8thAdams
• 12Maseko
• 15Monare
• 16person
• 17Lepasa
• 19Sibisi
• 21Mayambela
• 22Goss

Referee: Jean Jacques

Live text

1. The game ends: Cabo Verde 0(1), South Africa 0(2).

2. Penalty shootout ends, Cabo Verde 0(1), South Africa 0(2).

3. Penalty saved. Patrick Andrade (Cape Verde) tries with his left foot, saved in the center of the goal.

4. Goal! Cabo Verde 0(1), South Africa 0(2). Mothobi Mvala (South Africa) converts the penalty with his right foot to the bottom left.

5. Goal! Cabo Verde 0(1), South Africa 0(1). Bryan Teixeira (Cape Verde) converts the penalty with his right foot into the bottom right corner.

6. Penalty saved. Aubrey Modiba (South Africa) tries with his left foot, saved in the center of the goal.

7. Penalty saved. Laros Duarte (Cape Verde) right footed shot is saved in the bottom left corner.

8. Penalty missed! Still Cabo Verde 0, South Africa 0(1). Zakhele Lepasa (South Africa) hits the bar with a right footed shot.

9. Penalty saved. Willy Semedo (Cabo Verde) right footed shot saved in the bottom left corner.

10. Goal! Cabo Verde 0, South Africa 0(1). Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) converts the penalty with his right foot into the top left corner.

11. Penalty saved. Bebé (Cabo Verde) tries with his right foot, saved in the bottom left corner.

12. The penalty shootout starts with 0 in Cabo Verde, 0 in South Africa.

13. Second half extra time ends, Cabo Verde 0, South Africa 0.

14. Attempt failed. Bebé (Cabo Verde) tries with his right foot from outside the box, but the ball misses just past the left. Prepared by Bryan Teixeira.

15. Substitution Cabo Verde. Bryan Teixeira replaces Kenny Rocha.

16. Offside Cape Verde. Gilson Benchimol is offside.

17. Attempt saved. Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) tries with his right foot from outside the box, saved by the goalkeeper in the center of the goal. Supported by Terrence Mashego.

18. Attempt failed. Nyiko Mobbie (South Africa) tries with his right foot from more than 30 meters, but the ball misses to the left.

19. Foul by Willy Semedo (Cape Verde).

20. Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.