Bafana conquer Cape Verde to book historic AFCON semi-final berth

Bafana Bafana have defeated Cape Verde 2-1 on penalties to qualify for the 2023 AFCON tournament semi-finals for the first time since 2000 following a 0-0 draw after 120 tiresome minutes.

In fact, on this day in 1996, South Africa became AFCON champions. Today, Bafana carried that memory, spirit, and will to lead the nation to the promised land.  

Below are some key talking points from this CAF AFCON quarter-final clash at Charles Konan Banny Stadium, in Ivory Coast on Saturday night. 

BAFANA BAFANA REACH SEMI-FINAL

Hugo Broos‘ charges have booked the AFCON competition semi-final spot for the first time since 2000, having reached the quarter-finals in three of their last four appearances at this prestigious tournament.

This is the fourth time South Africa have reached the semis of the AFCON competition. 

Meanwhile, Cape Verde were looking to reach the AFCON semi-finals for the first time in their history.

This was their second quarter-final appearance. Their first happened in 2013 when they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Ghana.

RONWEN WILLIAMS EQUALS ANDRE ARENDSE’S RECORD

Bafana captain Ronwen Williams equalised Andre Arendse record’s for the most number of clean sheets [4] in a single AFCON tournament. 

Williams came into this game having kept three consecutive clean for the first time since February 1998.  

Broos’ troops have never stopped their opponents from scoring in four AFCON games in a row.

SOUTH AFRICA NOT CLINICAL DESPITE BEING IN CONTROL

South Africa had 11 touches in against Cape Verde, their joint-most in the first half of a game in the tournament [11 also v Mali]. However, Bafana had only managed one shot on target, As per Opja Jabu statistics.

THEMBA ZWANE FACTOR

Themba Zwane couldn’t become the first Bafana player to score three goals in a single AFCON edition since Shaun Bartlett in 2000.

RELATED STORY: Why Cape Verde are not scared of Bafana Bafana