Staff Reporter.
South Africa keep their hopes of defending the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco alive, after they beat Senegal 4-1 on penalties in the quarterfinal match played at the d’Honneur Stadium on Saturday evening.
With the score locked at 0-0 after extra time, the match was decided by a penalty shootout, in which South Africa triumphed to seal the win.
South Africa have advanced to the semi-finals, where they will face Nigeria, who cruised to a 5-0 victory over Zambia on Friday, 18 July.
The match was a tightly contested affair from the first whistle, with both sides creating chances but lacking the finishing touch. South Africa saw efforts from Jermaine Seoposenwe, Hildah Magaia and Karabo Dhlamini denied by Senegal’s resolute defending and the excellent goalkeeping of Adji Ndiaye.
Senegal threatened through Mama Diop and Nguenar Ndiaye, but the in-form Dlamini stood tall in goal for South Africa with a commanding performance, including crucial saves late in the match.
VAR waved off a potential South African penalty, and chances remained few and far between as both teams prepared for a decisive shootout.
In the penalty drama that followed, it was Dlamini who emerged as the hero, making two decisive saves—first denying Nguenar Ndiaye and then Méta Kandé—to swing the momentum firmly in South Africa’s favour.
Karabo Dhlamini, Tiisetso Makhubela, Gabriela Salgado, and Bambanani Mbane all converted with precision, showing nerves of steel.
Mbane’s top-corner finish sealed a shootout win and sent South Africa into a blockbuster semi-final against familiar foes Nigeria.
Meanwhile Ghana secured their place in the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Algeria, following a goalless draw after extra time Berkane.