Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has explained the reason why he managed to save four penalties in the 2-1 shootout win against Cape Verde.
Williams, 32, put in a heroic performance against the Blue Sharks and already denied them a winner in injury-time, pushing the ball onto the cross bar to keep the score at 0-0.
The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper then saved four penalties in the shootout, becoming the first goalkeeper to do so in Africa Cup of Nations history.
His fourth clean sheet in the tournament sent Bafana into the semi-finals for the first time in 24 years, where they will face Nigeria on Wednesday.
“I’m over the moon,” he said on SABC.
“I’m filled with joy, happiness. Not for the penalties but for the team. We deserve it, we fought so hard to the end. We keep fighting 120 and plus minutes, almost 130 minutes.
“We fight and keep going, guys were cramping. It just shows the desire and will we had to keep going. I’m just over the moon and I’m glad that we came out victorious today.”
Williams also credited team analyst Sinesipho Mali after his four penalty saves, saying he was well-prepared for the shootout.
“Definitely [the best day in my career]. I don’t think anything can top this unless we go on and win it,” he added.
“I’m over the moon, I’m ecstatic. But once again, it’s not me, it’s the team. You know the analyst, he studied the penalties, they sent me so many penalties.
“Credit to the analyst as well.”