Bafana Bafana sealed their spot in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after overcoming Cape Verde on penalties.
For the fourth successive match, Bafana coach Hugo Broos went with an unchanged starting line-up and looked to follow-up their impressive performance against the mighty Morocco in midweek.
Bafana were pretty slow in the build-up phase before seeing a first-time cross from Aubrey Modiba re-direct well wide after Themba Zwane and Percy Tau had combined to set him up.
Zwane was presented with a chance to break the deadlock following quick bit of play high-up the field, but the delivery bobbled around in the box before he snapped the shot wide of the mark.
The Blue Sharks could’ve gone ahead with a half-volley from Kevin Pina outside the box, but it bounced back in play and failed to rattle the net.
It was quite lively in the final stages to halftime when Khuliso Mudau snapped a first-time ball from Zwane’s lay-off over the top from close-range as the two sides entered the break all square.
Bafana continued to play short-passes around the defensive half of Cape Verde, but failed to get any shots away as the counterparts sat deep.
The Blue Sharks got a rare foray down the left of the box through Garry Rodrigues, but he shot tamely at goalkeeper Ronwen Williams who collected comfortably.
Bafana made a change just inside the midway stage of the second half, with Thapelo Morena sacrificed and Thapelo Maseko brought on to the left flank.
With time running out in regulation time, Bafana lived on the edge and had Williams come out to palm Gilson Tavares’ first-time strike onto the upright in added time, sending the match to extra-time.
A succession of chances went the way for Bafana just inside extra-time with substitute Mihlali Mayambela’s half-volley and a diving header from Evidence Makgopa, but astounding goalkeeping from Vozinha kept them out.
There were still no breakthrough and penalties came to determine the winner, and the Islanders were first up and were denied as Williams smothered Bebe.
Williams remained the hero as he saved the other three spot-kicks from the Blue Sharks to see Bafana over the line and into the semi-finals to face Nigeria.
Confirmed line-ups:
Cape Verde: Dias, Lopes, Costa, Cabral, Fernandes, Alvarenga, Rodrigues, Santos, Mendes, Moreira, De Pina.
South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Kekana, Mvala, Modiba, Mokoena, Sithole, Morena, Zwane, Tau, Makgopa
Subs: Mothwa, Goss, Mobbie, Mashego, Xulu, Appollis, Adams, Maseko, Monare, Lepasa, Sibisi, Mayambela
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
Click HERE to register!
