The Bafana Bafana of South Africa secured a triumphant finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), claiming the bronze medal in a thrilling shootout on Saturday night.
In a tense clash held at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Ivory Coast, South Africa clinched third place by defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo with a narrow 6-5 victory on penalties, following a goalless draw.
The decisive moment came when South Africa’s midfielder Teboho Mokoena hit the outside of the post with the opening penalty kick. However, subsequent successful attempts from both teams led to a dramatic showdown, with South Africa’s goalkeeper Ronwen Williams emerging as the hero by denying DR Congo’s captain Chancel Mbemba and Meschak Elia during sudden death.
Despite the Congolese team’s dominance throughout the match, particularly evident in their numerous scoring opportunities, they faltered in front of the goalpost. Silas Katompa squandered two clear chances, while Simon Banza and substitute Fiston Mayele also failed to convert promising opportunities.
South Africa, fatigued from their recent semi-final loss to Nigeria, showcased resilience despite minimal changes to their lineup.
Conversely, DR Congo made significant alterations, fielding nine new players from their previous match against Ivory Coast.
The absence of extra time intensified the pressure, ultimately culminating in South Africa’s hard-fought victory.
Looking ahead, the AFCON 2023 journey concludes with hosts Ivory Coast facing Nigeria in the Abidjan showdown to determine the continental champion on Sunday.
