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The teams could not be separated after 120 minutes, drawing 0-0 after both goalkeepers produced some heroic saves in extra-time to push the quarter-final into the shootout.

Mothobi Mvala scored the decisive kick for Bafana Bafana before Williams saved his fourth penalty to seal a 2-1 shootout win, but they were arguably lucky to get past the smallest nation in the tournament after the Blue Sharks dominated possession and produced the best of the chances.

South Africa, the 1996 champion, will take on Nigeria in Bouake in their semi-final on Thursday (AEDT), with Williams no doubt full of confidence should that tie also go to a shootout.

The first half was a cagey affair with neither goalkeeper seriously tested.

Kevin Pina had an opportunity for the Blue Sharks, but headed well wide at the back post before South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena lashed a long-range shot straight at Vozinha.

A chance opened up for Themba Zwane after South Africa snatched possession and broke forward but he scuffed his shot wide.

Pina again missed the target at the other end after skipping around two challenges and Ryan Mendes also had an effort blocked after weaving through the area.

Cape Verde had the first chance of the second half when Joao Paulo volleyed wide but Bafana Bafana had an opportunity when Khuliso Mudau shot at Vozinha.

Garry Rodrigues could have given Cape Verde the lead when he got behind the defence just before the hour but he failed to get any power on his attempt to curl a shot around Williams.

Cape Verde stepped up the pressure and Rodrigues had an effort deflected for a corner and a Rocha shot was blocked before Jovane Cobral fired over.

Gilson Benchimol almost won it for Cape Verde in the second minute of stoppage-time after racing onto a Logan Costa ball, but Williams did brilliantly to palm his powerful effort onto the crossbar.

Extra-time began with South Africa in the ascendancy but Vozinha came to Cape Verde’s rescue with two superb saves in quick succession from substitute Mihlali Mayambela and Mokoena.

Benchimol spurned another chance but neither side looked threatening in the second additional period and penalties became inevitable.

South Africa seized the early initiative in the shootout as Williams saved the first two spot-kicks from former Manchester United forward Bebe and also Willy Semedo.

Zakhele Lepasa’s failure to hit the target gave Cape Verde hope but Williams then kept out Laros Duarte’s effort.

Vozinha saved from Aubrey Modiba in response and Bryan Teixeira finally registered for Cape Verde but Mothobi Mvala put South Africa on the brink and Williams completed the job by saving from Patrick Andrade.