AFCON 2023: Nigeria to battle South Africa for final ticket

• Nigeria's Super Eagles will meet South Africa in the first semifinal of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
• South Africa booked their spot in the last-four stage of the competition after a thrilling penalty shootout victory over Cape Verde on Saturday.

It was always going to be a close encounter between South Africa, ranked 12th in Africa, and the 14th-ranked Cape Verdeans in their quarter-final clash inside the Charles Konan Banny Stadium.

Nothing could separate the two sides after 120 minutes, only for goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to produce one of the most astonishing heroics in AFCON history during penalties.

Williams kept out four of Cape Verde's kicks as South Africa claimed a 2-1 win and advanced to the semifinals of the continental championships for the first time in 24 years.

The reward for South Africa's victory is a clash with three-time winners, Nigeria.

The Super Eagles earlier booked their spot among the best four teams in the competition by securing a 1-0 win against Angola in Abidjan.

Ademola Lookman netted the game's only goal for Nigeria in the first half of the encounter.

While Nigeria trade tackles with South Africa, the second semifinal clash will be between hosts Cote d'Ivoire and DR Congo.