AFCON round-up: South Africa beat Cape Verde, to face Nigeria in semis

South Africa advanced to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following a 2-1 win over Cape Verde on penalties — after a goalless 120 minutes in their quarter-final match on Saturday night.

The Bafana Bafana advanced, thanks to the heroics of Ronwen Wiliams, their goalkeeper and captain who kept the 1886 AFCON winners in the game at the death in regular time.

Despite the last semi-final spot on offer, both sides did not offer much in terms of chances in an uninspiring match that only came to life in the final minutes of normal time.

Wiliams produced a stunning one-on-one save, touching the ball onto the post to force extra time for South Africa in the final minute of the second half.

An inspired South Africa returned in extra-time and had a couple of chances to win the match but could not breach the Cape Verde goalkeeper, and they had to do it on penalties where Williams saved four of five Cape Verde penalties.

South Africa are in the semi-final for the first time in 24 years and will face rivals Nigeria on Wednesday, February 7, for a place in the final set to take place next weekend.

Earlier, three red cars were shown as Ivory Coast defeated Mali 2-1 after extra time — despite playing the whole of the second half and extra time with ten men.

Mali missed a penalty but Nene Dorgeles’ 30-yard strike put them on the cusp of victory before Simon Adingra’s prodded finish on 90 minutes.

Oumar Diakite touched Seko Fofana’s long-range shot into the net as the hosts advanced to their first semi-final appearance since 2015 when they won the trophy.

They will face DR Congo for a place in the final.