'Stats don't play the game' - Williams insists he's not bothered by Bafana Bafana's poor record against Nigeria

Speaking during the pre-match conference earlier today, South Africa's first-choice goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has said that they are not worried about their poor record against Nigeria ahead of the two nations' semifinal clash tomorrow at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Courtesy of their penalty shoot-out triumph over Cape Verde, Bafana Bafana will be taking part in the semifinal of AFCON for the first time since 2000.

Coincidentally, Nigeria was the team they faced the last time they reached this stage, losing 2-0, and have yet to record any victory against them in the tournament since then.

When asked about the possibility of being affected by their poor record against the Super Eagles, Williams said they are unflinched by that and they are focused on winning tomorrow's tie.

"Stats don't play the game. You know many statistics that were against us in this tournament and we proved  that stats don't play the game.

"So, what has happened in the past, we can't change that, but what we can change is tomorrow's result, tomorrow's performance. So we don't look at that because that can't change now.

"We control what we can control and that is tomorrow's performance and tomorrow's result."

The Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper  was in superman form during South Africa's win over Cape Verde, making vital saves and also stopping four penalties during the shoot-outs.

He has been one of the best glovesmen in the tournament, conceding two goals and keeping four clean sheets,  which is the joint-best record.

The 32-year-old will have to be at his best again against the Super Eagles as South Africa seek to reach the final of AFCON for the first time since 1996.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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