Bafana player ratings: Ronwen rules, Mvala and Kekana among other heroes

Having gone into the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) as clear underdogs, Bafana Bafana’s performance and exceptional tenacity in their last two games has placed them among the candidates for top honours.   

South Africa are in the semifinals after knocking out a determined Cape Verde 2-1 through penalties after a 0-0 extra time scoreline in a nerve-racking quarterfinal at Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, on Saturday.   

South Africa were on the back foot for much of the game and sometimes rode their luck not conceding, though they did create some excellent chances too, and captain Ronwen Williams saved a remarkable four penalties in the shootout.

Bafana, who dispatched top-ranked Morocco in the last 16, face old rivals Nigeria in the semis on Wednesday.   

TimesLIVE Premium rates the performance of the Bafana players against Cape Verde:

Ronwen Williams — 10   

There were long stretches in the match where Ronwen Williams did not have much to do as South Africa’s defence ensured Cape Verde, as much as they were able to engineer shooting positions, could not get clean shots on target.

When the skipper was called into action, mostly in the second half and extra time, he was always up to the task.    

Williams’s brilliant save deflected a rocket by Gilson Benchimol, through a one-on-one in the dying minutes of normal time, kept Bafana in the running for the Afcon title. The captain’s performance in the shoot-out, saving an unheard-of four kicks and conceding just one, was out of this world.    

Williams is definitely in the running for the tournament’s Golden Glove award. He was stupendous.    

Khuliso Mudau — 7

To try to pick any right-back who is better than Khuliso Mudau in the Premier Soccer League at the moment is likely to be a tough assignment.    

Mudau was impressive in dealing with Cape Verde’s dangerous left-wing, Garry Rodrigues.    

The Cape Verdean did his best to outclass Mudau, but Rodrigues didn’t enjoy a lot of success, a large part of why the Blue Sharks’ battled to test Williams as much as they would have hoped for, given their dominance.   

Mudau was replaced by Nyiko Mobbie in the 103rd minute.    

Grant Kekana — 7.5    

Grant Kekana came into the tournament not being the first choice to partner Mothobi Mvala at centre-back, with Siyanda Xulu the preferred option.    

But after the first game against Mali, Kekana has been paired with his Sundowns teammates — including fullbacks Mudau and Aubrey Modiba — and the back four have been tough to break down as South Africa have kept four clean sheets in succession.    

Kekana was solid, helping limit Cape Verde’s clear-cut chances.

Mothobi Mvala — 7.5    

Mvala’s partnership with Kekana has proved to be what Bafana Bafana needs to have the best chance of winning Afcon.    

The two understand each other well and Mvala has been amazing for Bafana in this year’s tournament with his robust, wholehearted performances. Against Cape Verde, he was not afraid to put his body in the firing line again.    

Aubrey Modiba — 6.5    

Except for having his spot-kick saved in the shoot-out, Aubrey Modiba put in another solid shift.    

There were moments where the tricky Ryan Mendes got the better of him and some of Cape Verde’s chances came from his side. However, he always had someone to cover him from centre back in the form of Mvala and Kekana.    

Teboho Mokoena — 7    

Teboho Mokoena delivered another top performance with a monumental work-rate against Cape Verde.

He threatened with his long-range shots at goal that kept goalkeeper Vozinha on his toes. It was not quite as complete a display as the barnstorming performance where he was easily the Bafana player most responsible for the downfall of Morocco in the last 16. That’s not surprising because maintaining such a level two games in succession would have been a rare feat. 

Mokoena worked hard to try to ensure Bafana were not dominated in the midfield battle, but that was a little more difficult with Cape Verde’s pace on the ball. While Mokoena and midfield partner Sphephelo Sithole could not quite dominate the midfield, their work was crucial in holding off the islanders’ onslaught.

Sphephelo Sithole — 6    

Sphephelo Sithole and Mokoena’s combination in the middle of the park has surprised many and has been perhaps the crucial aspect in Bafana reaching the Afcon final four.    

Even if the pair could not dominate in the middle against the physical, fast islanders, the midfielder from CD Tondela in Portugal’s second tier played a big part ensuring Cape Verde did not easily get to the South African defence or Williams.    

Thapelo Morena — 5.5    

Thapelo Morena is very dangerous when he attacks down the right side, but he was not able to bring that pace and zip against Cape Verde.    

He was the first player to be called to the bench after the hour-mark, replaced by young Sundowns teammate Thapelo Maseko.    

Themba Zwane — 6 

Veteran Themba Zwane has been markedly influential for Bafana at this Afcon, but he seemed to struggle to find his energy and to keep up with the pace of the game against Cape Verde.    

Percy Tau — 5    

Most South Africans and Africans have witnessed Percy Tau at his best. It’s safe to say the Al Ahly man has not been able to produce that level yet in this year’s Afcon.    

When Tau is in his element, he is able to make things happen for his teams. His performance against Cape Verde was lackadaisical and Bafana coach Hugo Broos will hope the attacker returns to his best when they meet Nigeria.      

Evidence Makgopa — 6.5    

Evidence Makgopa had a tough game against Cape Verde’s solid defence. He came close to scoring when his good header was saved by Vozinha early in extra time.    

Substitutes:    

Thapelo Maseko — 6    

Thapelo Maseko replaced Morena in the 63rd minute and added firepower in Bafana’s attack. However, he had to be replaced by Terrence Mashego with a suspected hamstring injury in the 114th minute.    

Jayden Adams — 5.5    

Jayden Adams replaced Tau and like Maseko boosted Bafana’s attack, but his contribution was not enough to deliver a winning goal.    

Mihlali Mayambela — 7

Moments after being introduced at the start of extra time for Zwane, Mihlali Mayambela came close to breaking the deadlock with Bafana’s best chance of the game, but his athletic point-blank shot was blocked by the impressive Vozinha.     

Not on the pitch long enough to be rated: Zakhele Lepasa, Nyiko Mobbie and Terrence Mashego