South Africa has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nation (AFCON) semi-finals for the first time since 2000. The Bafana Bafana advanced into the final four after defeating Cape Verde 2-1 on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra time at Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yomoussoukro on Saturday, February 3, 2024.
The heroic display of the South African goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams was the highlight of the night after turning away four of the Blue Sharks’ penalties to see his side advance to the semi-finals.
William becomes the first ever goalkeeper to save four penalties in a single AFCON shootout.
South Africa will be playing on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at Peace Stadium of Bouake against the Nigerian team which qualified earlier by beating Angola 1-0.
In the other quarter final match, the host nation, Ivory Coast advanced to the semi finals after seeing off Mali win a 2-1 victory coming from a goal down to score in the 90th minute by S. Adingra, and their winning goal in the dying minutes of the extra time scored by O. Diakite in the 122nd minute.
Ivory Cost will be playing the second fixture of the semi-finals against the Democratic Republic of Congo that cruised past Guinea Bisau 3-1 at the Olympic stadium of Ebimpe, which will also host ground fixture on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
