Ronwen Williams saved four spot kicks to help South Africa reach the semi-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on penalties following a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde.
Bebe, Willy Semedo, Laros Duarte and Patrick Andrade were all denied in the shootout by the outstanding Williams, who also made a spectacular late save to tip Gilson Benchimol’s first-time strike against the woodwork and ensure the gruelling quarter-final entered extra time.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha made two exceptional saves in quick succession shortly after extra time began to deny Mihlali Mayambela and Teboho Mokoena.
South Africa will now have the chance to avenge their defeat to Nigeria on their last appearance in the Afcon semi-finals, when they were beaten 2-0 by the Super Eagles in 2000.
The 1996 champions will attempt to bridge a 24-place gap in Fifa’s rankings when they meet the three-time winners in Bouake on Wednesday (17:00 GMT).
Line-ups
Cape Verde
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Évora Dias
- 23Moreira
- 5Evans Costa
- 4Lopes
- 8Moreira Fernandes
- 10Monteiro AlvarengaSubstituted ford'Encarnação Duarteat 86′minutes
- 26Gonçalves Pereira de PinaSubstituted forCorreia Andradeat 65′minutes
- 18Rocha SantosSubstituted forSilva Teixeira Jr.at 119′minutes
- 20Mendes da GraçaBooked at 27minsSubstituted forJohnson Semedo Afonsoat 65′minutes
- 7Borges CabralSubstituted forBenchimol Tavaresat 87′minutes
- 11Mendes RodriguesSubstituted forDias Correiaat 72′minutes
Substitutes
- 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
- 20MudauSubstituted forMobbieat 103′minutes
- 18Kekana
- 14Close him
- 6Modiba
- 4Mokoena
- 13We found out
- 23MorenaSubstituted forMasekoat 63′minutesSubstituted forMashegoat 114′minutes
- 11CalledSubstituted forAdamsat 90′minutes
- 10YesSubstituted forMayambelaat 85′minutes
- 9The shellsSubstituted forLepasaat 103′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Mobbie
- 3Mashego
- 5Xulu
- 7Appollis
- 8Adams
- 12Maseko
- 15Monare
- 16Person
- 17Lepasa
- 19Sibisi
- 21Mayambela
- 22Goss
- Referee:
- Jean Jacques I'm Not Afraid
Live Text
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Match ends, Cabo Verde 0(1), South Africa 0(2).
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Penalty Shootout ends, Cabo Verde 0(1), South Africa 0(2).
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Penalty saved. Patrick Andrade (Cabo Verde) left footed shot saved in the centre of the goal.
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Goal! Cabo Verde 0(1), South Africa 0(2). Mothobi Mvala (South Africa) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
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Goal! Cabo Verde 0(1), South Africa 0(1). Bryan Teixeira (Cabo Verde) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
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Penalty saved. Aubrey Modiba (South Africa) left footed shot saved in the centre of the goal.
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Penalty saved. Laros Duarte (Cabo Verde) right footed shot saved in the bottom left corner.
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Penalty missed! Still Cabo Verde 0, South Africa 0(1). Zakhele Lepasa (South Africa) hits the bar with a right footed shot.
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Penalty saved. Willy Semedo (Cabo Verde) right footed shot saved in the bottom left corner.
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Goal! Cabo Verde 0, South Africa 0(1). Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top left corner.
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Penalty saved. Bebé (Cabo Verde) right footed shot saved in the bottom left corner.
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Penalty Shootout begins Cabo Verde 0, South Africa 0.
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Second Half Extra Time ends, Cabo Verde 0, South Africa 0.
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Attempt missed. Bebé (Cabo Verde) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Bryan Teixeira.
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Substitution, Cabo Verde. Bryan Teixeira replaces Kenny Rocha.
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Offside, Cape Verde. Gilson Benchimol is caught offside.
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Attempt saved. Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Terrence Mashego.
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Attempt missed. Nyiko Mobbie (South Africa) right footed shot from more than 35 yards misses to the left.
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Foul by Willy Semedo (Cabo Verde).
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Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
