Ex-Man Utd flop Bebe misses as Cape Verde suffer penalty shootout heartbreak at AFCON… as South Africa goalkeeper saves FOUR penalties to send nation into semi-final clash with Nigeria
- AFCON saw a dramatic penalty shootout as the South African goalkeeper shone
- Ronwen Williams saved four penalties, including one from ex-United flop Bebe
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South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams played in a dramatic penalty shootout against Cape Verde in the AFCON quarter-finals to send his side through to Nigeria in the semi-finals.
Williams made a stunning extra-time save to take the match into extra time, and penalties were needed to separate the two teams after the match finished goalless.
Having kept four consecutive clean sheets in the tournament so far, Williams – who is also South Africa’s captain – saved four of five penalties in the shootout, including one from ex-Manchester United flop Bebe.
South Africa also missed two penalties, but Williams’ heroics saw them win the shootout 2-1.
But without Williams, the team wouldn’t even have had penalties.
Ronwen Williams made a series of spectacular saves, including one in extra time
Williams, 32, produced a superb performance to help his side reach the semi-finals of the AFCON
Former Man Utd flop Bebe missed a penalty as his country suffered an AFCON heartbreak
The celebrations were full-time wild as South Africa booked a place in the semi-finals
Cape Verde’s Gilson Benchimol broke through on goal late in extra time and looked confident of sending his team through to the semi-finals, before Williams expertly tipped his shot onto the crossbar.
Penalties followed and Bebe, who spent four years at Old Trafford between 2010 and 2014, was the first to get going but saw his effort parried.
Bebe joined United from top Portuguese club Vitoria de Guimaraes in 2010 but made just two appearances in his four-year spell before making a series of loan moves, including to Turkish side Besiktas.
After keeping Bebe out, Williams was unstoppable as he saved three of the next four Cape Verdean penalties.
Williams’ performance took South Africa to their first AFCON semi-final since 2000, sparking wild celebrations from fans and players.
South Africa will meet Nigeria in the semi-finals on Wednesday. Host country Ivory Coast will take on DR Congo the same day in an attempt to reach the final.