AFCON 2023: South Africa Goalie Ronwen Williams Discloses Chat He Had With Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali

• Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and Stanley Nwabali are having a great 2023 AFCON
• The two players have played vital roles in South Africa and Nigeria's run to the semis
• Williams says Nwabali showered him with praise when they met in Port Elizabeth

Goalkeepers Ronwen Williams and Stanley Nwabali have been some of the best performers at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations for South Africa and Nigeria, respectively.

Williams and Nwabali play in the PSL, and the Bafana Bafana captain has disclosed what the Nigerian told him when they met in Port Elizabeth.

Nigeria and South Africa meet in a huge semi-final clash on Wednesday, February 7.

Williams rose to the occasion in South Africa's epic quarter-final clash with Cape Verde, on Saturday, February 3. He pulled off incredible saves in regulation time before saving four penalties in the shootout.

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The win sent South Africa to their first AFCON semi-final since 2000, per BBC.

Meanwhile, Nwabali has been one of the Super Eagles' top players since dislodging Francis Uzoho from the starting spot. The Chippa United goalkeeper has produced stellar performances throughout the tournament and will be tested against South Africa.

Nwabali was subbed off against Cameroon in the Round of 16 due to injury but recovered in time for the Angola game.

Williams on Nwabali

Speaking ahead of the massive showdown, Williams disclosed that he had a conversation with Nwabali when the two crossed paths in Port Elizabeth.

“I’m happy for him, I had a chat with him when we played each other in Port Elizabeth, and it’s so weird that he told me that I inspire him,” via iDiski Times.

“The way he’s playing now, I’m so happy that I can inspire someone, a fellow professional – so tomorrow we’ll share the stage together and go out to continue doing what we’ve doing as trying to be the best goalkeepers we can be.

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Williams is not wishing him well ahead of their game.

“He’s been amazing this season but tomorrow, hopefully, he can concede, so that we can go into the final.”

No goalkeeper at the tournament has more clean sheets than Nwabali and Williams. The two goalies have conceded three goals in a combined 10 games.

Nigeria vs South Africa preview

Sports Brief earlier previewed the South Africa vs Nigeria semi-final clash.

Nigeria have won four and drawn one of their five matches in the competition, while South Africa have lost just once in Ivory Coast.

The two sides met in the knockout stage of the 2000 and 2019 AFCON.