South African stopper Ronwen Williams has carved his place in the history books by becoming the first goalkeeper to save four penalties in a single Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) shootout.
The Mamelodi Sundowns’ goalkeeper’s crucial saves helped Bafana Bafana book their ticket to the semi-final stage of the tournament.
After a goalless 120 minutes of action with Cape Verde, the game had to be settled via penalty shootout. Bebé was the first player from the Blue Shark team to take the spot kick, but his effort was crushed down as Williams made a superb save. Teboho Mokoena of South Africa converted his penalty to give Bafana Bafana the lead.
Ronwen Williams then stood up to stop Willy Semedo and Laros Duarte’s penalties after Bafana Bafana’s Lepasa missed from 12 yards. Modiba also followed suit before Bryan Teixeira got one back for the Blue Sharks, making it 1-1. Mvala regained the lead for South Africa, making it 2-1. Williams then came in to make his final save against Patrick to send Hugo Broos’ men to the last four of the competition.
South Africa have kept four consecutive clean sheets at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since February 1998, when they secured three clean sheets in a row. This is the first time Bafana Bafana have stopped their opponents from scoring in four AFCON matches in a row, thanks to the brilliance of Ronwen Williams.
Due to Itumeleng Khune’s damaged ankle, the first-choice keeper, Williams, played in his debut South African encounter on March 5, 2014, in a friendly match against Brazil.
After Thulani Hlatshwayo was left from the squad in August 2021, Williams was designated the new Bafana Bafana captain by head coach Hugo Broos.
For the first time in twenty-four years, South Africa is in the semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations. They will play the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Wednesday, February 7 at the Stade de la Bouaké with hopes of advancing to the final, which is scheduled for Sunday, February 11 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium also known as the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé.
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Story by : Gabriel Tecco Mensah| univers.ug.edu.gh
