AFCON 2023: Ronwen Williams Wins Jackpot in 12 Yard Lottery As Bafana Bafana Progress

• Bafana Bafana's run at AFCON 2023 continues after penalty heroics from Ronwen Williams
• Both teams had chances to win the match in 120 minutes but the 12-yard lottery was needed
• South Africa looked fatigued throughout but Williams made four saves to rescue the challenge

Falling in the final eight is a bittersweet round to exit a major competition.

It would not be considered a failure but Cape Verde would be left with many 'what ifs' from a tournament that held so much promise.

For South Africa, it is a monumental moment for Ronwen Williams and a massive achievement for Bafana Bafana to return to the semi-finals for the first time in 23 years.

The quarter-final swung between lengthy lulls, frenetic assaults on goal and flashes of miraculous goalkeeping at either end.

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South Africa's passing and general application was sloppy in the opening phases, summed up by Teboho Mokoena's two early shots, one firm but straight, the other a wild swing.

Cape Verde were not much sharper either and gave the ball away cheaply several times, the most careless example leading to a scuffed Themba Zwane shot from the edge of the box.

Evidence Makgopa's work rate among the forwards was unmatched and he linked up well with Thapelo Morena and Themba Zwane, while Percy Tau was often isolated on the left flank.

The cooling break came on 30 mins and with it, all the momentum South Africa had dissipated. Cape Verde then had 15 minutes of uninterrupted pressure and Ryan Mendes wasted the best chance of the half, taking too many touches while in space around the penalty spot.

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Garry Rodrigues should have opened the scoring 10 minutes after the half-time break when he lost Khuliso Mudau but hit his one-on-one shot straight at Ronwen Williams' ankles.

The coaches rang the changes but the game bogged down in the final 25 minutes as both teams sensed extra time.

South Africa almost did not make it to the extra 30 minutes as Williams made a staggering point-blank save in injury time.

Cape Verde's veteran goalkeeper, Vozinha, saw Williams' heroics and raised the bar with two outstanding saves at the beginning of extra time, denying Mihlali Mayambela and Evidence Makgopa from inside his six-yard area.

It would have to be decided by the 12-yard lottery, and Williams won the jackpot. He saved four penalties to break Cape Verde heart and bring Hugo Broos and Bafana Bafana flooding onto the field.

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A late goal on the stroke of 90 minutes by Brighton and Hove Albion star Simon Adingra sent the game to extra time.

A wild scene broke out after Diakite’s goal as the Malian players circled the centre referee, Mohamed Adel in protest.