South Africa book Nigeria semi-final date

 Ronwen Williams will be remembered as a South African cult hero following a spectacular performance that saw the 2010 World Cup hosts dump out Cape Verde.

Williams made four remarkable saves in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to earn South Africa a place in the semi-finals for the first time in over two decades.

After eliminating pre-tournament favourites and highest-ranked Afri­can nation, Morocco, in the last 16, South Africa were eager to further their AFCON ambitions against a high-flying, Cape Verde.

However, a drab first-half en­counter saw only one shot hit the target, coming from South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena, who tested Cape Verde’s Vozinha from range.

A refreshing second half saw both sides up the ante, and an end-to-end contest ensued. But clear-cut chances remained at a premium, with neither side looking particular­ly dangerous on the attack.

Neither side could find an elusive winner, sending the game into extra time. But it was South Africa who kicked off the additional 30 min­utes with renewed vigour.

Vozinha made himself big to deny Mihlali Mayambela from close range before bettering that save to thwart a header from Evidence Makgopa, ensuring both sides par­ticipate in the lottery of a penalty shoot-out.

South Africa stopper, Williams, stole the spotlight, becoming the first goalkeeper at this year’s AF­CON to save a penalty. He made four saves, including three in a row to seal Bafana Bafana’s place in the semi-finals against a Nigerian side who overcame Angola through a first-half goal from Ademola Look­man last Friday. —Onefootball

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