Bafana Bafana defender Grant Kekana says the team’s defensive workrate is the reason they have progressed to the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Bafana kept a fourth consecutive clean sheet when they beat Cape Verde 2-1 via the penalty shootout on Saturday.
Bafana are due to meet Nigeria in the semifinals and Kekana is adamant they have a chance of shocking the pre-tournament favourites.
“I think we understand if we don’t concede, we don’t lose games, so we try to work so hard as a team, I think we defend from the front, it gives a chance of winning the game,” said Kekana as quoted by IDiski Times.
“It’s another tough opponent, Nigeria has many quality players, we’ve done so well to get this far, but we believe in ourselves, we’ll go to the drawing board, plan accordingly and give ourselves a chance at getting a positive result against them.”
South Africa qualified to the semifinals thanks to captain Ronwen Williams heroic performance, as he saved four penalties in the shootout.
“It’s been a while the people back home had something to smile about. We know this is not the end but it feels good.” — Grant Kekana. 🇿🇦#afcon2023 #afconwithmicky#totalenergiesafcon2023 #bafanabafana pic.twitter.com/548L3W3aOG
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) February 4, 2024
The goalies also made two fantastic saves during regulation time to deny The Blue Sharks.
“World-class keeper, all I can say… I think he should be made the minister of finance, he can save South Africa’s economy,” Kekana said about Williams’ performance.
Williams also equalled Andre Arendse’s record from 1996 of keeping four clean sheets at the Africa Cup of Nations.
