'Going to be a big one' - Toast of South Africa right now, Ronwen Williams looking forward to facing Osimhen

Ronwen Williams was the hero for South Africa as they beat Cape Verde 2-1 on penalties in the quarterfinal of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro to set up a semifinal showdown with favorites Nigeria.

The Mamelodi Sundowns glovesman made four saves in the penalty shootout to send Bafana Bafana into the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2000.

The Super Eagles and South Africa will lock horns at the Stade de la Paix, Bouaké on Wednesday, February 7.

Williams' save in the 90th minute when he got his hand to an effort from Gelson Tavares that struck the woodwork was equally as important as his saves in the penalty shootout. 

The 32-year-old has admitted that he is excited about the prospect of facing a Nigerian side with Victor Osimhen and knows how important Wednesday's game is. 

Asked if it's special to face Nigeria's Victor Osimhen and reigning African Footballer of the Year, Ronwen Williams said in the mixed zone after the win versus Cape Verde: "It's special just to be part of the Africa Cup of Nations, seeing all these amazing African players playing in big teams in Europe, doing wonderful things so we are just glad we can show our worth as well as South Africans.

"We know it's going to be a big one coming up so we need to prepare accordingly and we are looking forward to the challenge."

The Nigeria and South Africa goalkeepers are in great form ahead of the highly anticipated semifinal clash, having kept four consecutive clean sheets at the ongoing tournament in Ivory Coast.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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