In a stunning display of goalkeeping prowess, South Africa’s goalkeeper Ronwen Williams played a pivotal role in propelling Bafana Bafana to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semifinals.
Williams, who faced Cape Verde in the quarterfinals on Saturday, saved an exceptional four out of five penalties during the shootout, an unprecedented feat in the history of AFCON penalty shootouts.
Williams, also the captain of the South African team, attributed his success to meticulous preparation and credited the team’s analysts and goalkeeper coach for their contributions.
He highlighted the valuable insights gained from numerous penalty clips provided by the analysts, stating, “They made my job 50% easier because I had an idea where most of the players were going.”
Williams’s late crucial save against Gilson Benchimol contributed significantly to keeping South Africa in the game.
During the shootout, Williams denied penalties from Cape Verde’s Bebé, Willy Semedo, Laros Duarte, and Patrick Andrade, securing a 2-1 victory for South Africa.
The match in Yamoussoukro had ended in a scoreless draw after extra time.
Reflecting on the team’s collective effort, Williams praised his teammates for their resilience and determination, emphasizing the desire they displayed during the 120-plus minutes of play.
He graciously accepted the man-of-the-match award on behalf of the entire team, acknowledging the unity and fighting spirit on the field.
South Africa’s coach, Hugo Broos, echoed Williams’s sentiments, dismissing the notion of luck and attributing the success to the team’s thorough preparations.
Broos highlighted Williams’s crucial save moments before the end of regular play, emphasizing that saving four penalties is not a stroke of luck but a testament to the team’s exceptional skills.
With the semifinals on the horizon, South Africa is set to face three-time champion Nigeria in Bouaké on Wednesday.
The winner of this encounter will advance to the final, where they will meet either host nation Ivory Coast or Congo in Abidjan on Sunday.
As South Africa seeks its second AFCON title, the stage is set for a thrilling semifinal clash and a potential shot at glory in the tournament’s final showdown.
