SEDIBENG.- It is not a dream nor a surprise Bafana Bafana is through to the African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) semi-finals after 24 years.
Bafana achieved this feat after working their ‘socks off’ and beating Cape Verde 2-1 on penalties in the Quarterfinals on Saturday. It was a nail-biting encounter with Cape Verde posing all sorts of threats for the better part of the game, thanks to Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, the desired results were achieved.
Williams made brilliant saves to deny Cape Verde’s strikers clear-cut scoring opportunities before the game was decided on penalties. As if this was not enough, Williams incredibly saved four penalties and it didn’t come as a surprise when he walked away with the Man of The Match award for his outstanding individual performance.
Williams led by example, and carried the team on his shoulders with Cape Verde throwing everything to Bafana Bafana. He stood between Bafana Bafana’s win and defeat and he was rewarded for his five-star performance.
Former Safa President, Dr Molefi Oliphant who is also the SAFA Lifetime President correctly predicted that Bafana Bafana would conquer Cape Verde. He made this bold prediction after Bafana Bafana knocked out Morocco earlier in the tournament.
After this game, Dr Oliphant told Sedibeng Ster Sport that the worst was over against the nation that is ranked No. 1 in African football. Not many expected Bafana Bafana to reach this level of the tournament after years of disappointment.
Bafana Bafana Coach, Hugo Broos seems to have turned the tables around as South Africa takes on Nigeria in the semi-finals on Wednesday, while hosts Ivory Coast meet the Democratic Republic of Congo after a miraculous run to the last four.
