The Bafana Bafana are through into the semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations, Ivory Coast 2023 following their 2:1 victory on penalties after a goalless draw in 2 hours hours of football against Cape Verde.
Mamelodi Sundowns captain, Ronwen Williams put up a spirited performance in the shootout saving four penalties from the spot which was unprecedented in the history of the continental showpiece in Yamossoukro.
This means the Rainbow nation will finish in the last 4 with the former AFCON winning coach Hugo Broos on the touchline.
As a proven winner, the Belgian masterminded a good tactics capable of doing the magic as the 1996 AFCON Champions are in the semis for the first time in 24 years.
After winning the AFCON in 1996 on home soil, South Africa finished as runners up in Burkina 1998 and third in 2000 when Ghana and Nigeria co-hosted the tournament.
Following the three consecutive podium finishes, the Rainbow nation have struggled to make it into the last 4 till this year in Ivory Coast.
South Africa only had quarter final appearances in 2002, 2013 and 2019. The rest have been group eliminations including 2004, 2006, 2008 and some occasions failing to even qualify to the continental showpiece.
The last coach to achieve this feat with the Rainbow nation was Trott Moloto who is the current assistant coach, Helman Makelele was a player at that time including Siyabonga Nomvethe, Mark Fish, Pierre Issa, Lucas Radebe, late John Moshoue, Shaun Bartlett to mention a few.
Hugo Broos, the Belgian coach has made sure South Africa reached the last 4 which could probably end in a podium finish.
The current generation of Banana Bafana players have really done well with the efforts and tactical ingenuity of the Belgian tactician.
Story by: Mohammed Awal Hudu
Post a Comment