Bafana Bafana squeaked past Cape Verde and into the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations following a performance that coach Hugo Broos suggested was uncharacteristically nervous.
Bafana Bafana squeaked past Cape Verde and into the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations following a performance that coach Hugo Broos suggested was uncharacteristically nervous.
It took a goalkeeping performance of unusual brilliance from skipper Ronwen Williams – who saved four penalties in the shoot-out – to steer South Africa through to the last four, where a meeting with Nigeria awaits.
Speaking after the game Broos said: “Let’s say six hours ago I was 71, now I am 75. It was a very stressful game, certainly with penalties.
“Today I saw and felt that my players were really nervous.
“There was a lot of pressure because everyone wanted to qualify for the semi-finals, and we didn’t play like in our previous matches.
“It is maybe bizarre for me to say that but for us, our Afcon has already been a success. We are in the semi-finals. Nobody thought we would do that when we left South Africa to come here.
“There will be less pressure on us, I am certain of that. That doesn’t mean we don’t want to play the final, certainly not.
“I think there were many people in South Africa who didn’t believe in the team, but we believed. The players believed that it could happen, and it happened, and I think this is a very good thing for South African football.
“South African players are in the picture now, so that means there will be more interest in South African football.
“I hope that those who saw the games are now convinced that the level of the PSL has to be higher. We have to work on that.
“I think it is the right moment to do that now, but again being in the semi-final is something very special for South African football and let’s hope now that maybe we can make a surprise again because now the hunger is big to play that final next Sunday.”
