Highlights: Cape Verde and South Africa offered a rather sad quarter-final for a long time, this Saturday February 3 at the Charles Konan Banny stadium. Hugo Broos' men never really got close to the goals kept by Vozinha. But it was the South African goalkeeper who had the last word. On the first three penalties, each time he relaxed completely and displayed a firm hand to shatter the dreams of the Blue Sharks. Thanks to him, South Africa returned to the semi-finals for the first time in 24 years.

Cape Verde and South Africa offered a rather sad quarter-final for a long time, this Saturday February 3 at the Charles Konan Banny stadium. In the end, it was Bafana Bafana who won (0-0, 2-1…

Summary

CAN 2024: South Africa thanks its goalkeeper, eliminates Cape Verde and goes to the semi-final

Cape Verde and South Africa offered a rather sad quarter-final for a long time, this Saturday February 3 at the Charles Konan Banny stadium. In the end, it was Bafana Bafana who won (0-0, 2-1 on the tabs). Hugo Broos and his men can say a huge thank you to Ronwen Williams.

Ronwen Williams saved South Africa in their CAN 2024 quarter-final against Cape Verde. AFP - FRANCK FIFE

By: Yohann Le Coz Follow

Difficult to enter this last quarter-final after the emotional lift offered by the Ivorian miracle against Mali earlier in the evening. And it must be said that the appearance of this part between Cape Verde and South Africa did not help much. Closed for a long time, it was ultimately the guards who had the last word. Or rather a goalkeeper, named Ronwen Williams, who appeared to have magnets in his gloves during the penalty shootout.

Read alsoCAN 2024: The schedule and all the results of the quarter-finals

In the first act, everyone weighed on the opposing defense in their own way. In the game, Bafana Bafana showed more energy and benefited from a few situations. Like Teboho Mokoena, who, as usual, tried his luck from afar to score the first shot of the match (10th) But Hugo Broos' men never really got close to the goals kept by Vozinha , unlike their opponents.

Less in spirit, the Sharks distiled their opportunities in a trickle, but had the merit of providing real thrills. Starting with captain Ryan Mendes, who, upon receiving a back cross, showed his composure to eliminate a first defender before triggering at the penalty spot (40th). It took a South African heel hanging around to prevent the opening score.

Read alsoRelive the match commented by our journalists

Williams, this hero

In its momentum, Cape Verde became emboldened as Bafana Bafana faded. Garry Rodrigues, who went on an adventure in depth, presented himself against Ronwen Williams, without success (55th). After which he had a second cartridge (70th), this time countered by a defender. But the real match point ended up at the feet of Benchimol. Perfectly launched in depth, he presented himself alone against Williams. But the Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper deflected the volley onto his square, right in the middle of added time. A save celebrated as a goal, very rightly so.

The score being goalless, the two selections plunged the Charles Konan Banny stadium, with very sparse stands, into overtime. It only took a few minutes for Vozinha to return the courtesy to his counterpart with a very classy double save (93rd), necessary to take his team to the penalty shootout.

But it was the South African goalkeeper who had the last word. On the first three penalties, each time he relaxed completely and displayed a firm hand to shatter the dreams of the Blue Sharks. We thought his feat was complete, but he offered a fourth and final save, to prevent his friends from having to present themselves one last time in front of the goal, under pressure. Thanks to him, South Africa returned to the semi-finals for the first time in 24 years.

CAN 2024: South Africa thanks its goalkeeper, eliminates Cape Verde and goes to the semi-final

CAN 2024: South Africa thanks its goalkeeper, eliminates Cape Verde and goes to the semi-final

Williams, this hero

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest