WAFCON: Andile Dlamini credits South Africa’s clean sheets to teamwork

South Africa women’s national team goalkeeper Andile Dlamini has praised three clean sheets registered so far to teamwork after they stepped closer to retaining their CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations crown in Morocco.

The African champions edged out Senegal in a nerve-wracking quarterfinal decided by penalties on Saturday. Following 120 minutes of tense, 0-0 draw, South Africa triumphed 4-1 in the shootout to secure a semi-final date with Nigeria thanks to heroic saves by Dlamini.

Dlamini emerged as the hero, making two decisive saves—first denying Nguenar Ndiaye and then Méta Kandé—to swing the momentum firmly in South Africa’s favour. Karabo Dhlamini, Tiisetso Makhubela, Gabriela Salgado, and Bambanani Mbane all converted for South Africa.

“The three clean sheets come down to the defense of the team. Defense starts with the forwards, the way that they defend at the front and then in the middle then that line and then me. It is a matter of understanding your role on a specific day, communication. Positive messages to each other even when it is so difficult,” Dlamini, who won woman of the match, told CAFOnline.

“I remember there was an instance where it was a buildup, and the ball went out for a corner. Fifi (Refiloe Jane) came and tapped me at the back and said, “Let’s go”. That’s beautiful because we are a team. That is the spirit of Ubuntu.

“That is captaincy. That shows that she is a leader more than anything. What is beautiful about Banyana Banyana is that you have all of that surrounding us. But it is not over. We still have to go to the semifinals and make sure that we do our best and hopefully see ourselves in the final.”

South Africa will now face nine-time champions Nigeria, who defeated Zambia 5-0 to reach the last four, at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Tuesday.