Bafana Bafana advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals for the first time since 2000 after defeating Cape Verde on penalties.
2023 Africa Cup of Nations
Result: Cape Verde 0-0 South Africa (South Africa won 2-1 on penalties)
Date: 03 February 2024
Venue: Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro
Bafana were unchanged from their win over Morocco in the round of 16, as Evidence Makgopa led the attack, accompanied by Percy Tau, Themba Zwane and Thapelo Morena.
Hugo Broos' charges had a positive start as within the first five minutes Zwane had a chance to open the scoring after he went through in the box but scuffed his shot just wide, under pressure from two Cape Verde defenders.
South Africa continued to surge forward more than the Blue Sharks but they were not finding the final pass in the box.
The island nation found their footing after the half-hour mark, as they started to frequent Bafana's box and South Africa's defence was shaky under pressure as Ryan Mendes had a big chance for Cape Verde just before interval that was crucially blocked in the box by Aubrey Modiba.
South Africa regained their rhythm going forward in the tail end of the first stanza as Khuliso Mudau had a chance unmarked on the far side but scooped his shot over the crossbar and the sides were deadlocked at halftime.
Both sides had a bright start in the second stanza but the Blues Sharks had a big opportunity 11 minutes from the break after Garry Rodrigues went through on goal but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Broos changed his attacking tactics just after the hour-mark, after he brought on Thapelo Maseko in place Morena and South Africa started to threaten again, with Tau coming to life
The game was on the edge in the closing stages and Broos made a big call in the dying minutes as he brought on Mihlali Mayambela in place of Tau but the sides could not be separated in regulation time and went to extra-time.
South Africa gained momentum in the second stanza of extra-time but they had an injury blow six minutes before time after Maseko pulled his hamstring and was immediately replaced by Terrence Mashego.
The game was on the edge in the dying minutes but neither side had clear opportunities despite attempts at goal and penalty shootouts were required after a goalless draw in extra-time.
Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was the hero, as he saved four penalties as South Africa won 2-1 in the shoot-out and reached the semi-finals, where they will face Nigeria on Wednesday.
Here's how they lined up:
Cape Verde: Dias, Lopes, Costa, Cabral, Fernandes, Alvarenga, Rodrigues, Santos, Mendes, Moreira, De Pina
South Africa: 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
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