A fitting appetizer to the frenetic African Cup of Nations final, the match failed to separate South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the third-place match at Félix-Houphouët-Boigny ending 0-0. in Abidjan on Saturday.
The battle for the bronze medal ultimately went to penalties after 90 minutes without extra time. Bafana His Bafana won 6-5 thanks to further penalty save heroics from goalkeeper Ron Wen Williams. The captain made two saves during the shootout and helped South Africa win their second bronze medal at the Afcon.
Ronwen Williams challenges South Africa's Chryso Mudau in the 2023 African Cup of Nations match for third place between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Félix Houphouët-Boigny Region, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, February 10, 2024 Cyrus Mbumpa Katompa of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. (Photo): Samuel Shivambu / BackpagePix)
Teboho Mokoena of South Africa during the 2023 African Cup of Nations third place play-off between South Africa and Democratic Republic of the Congo in Félix-Houphouët-Boigny Region in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on February 10, 2024. (Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix)
Meshack Elia of the Democratic Republic of Congo defeats Nkosinati of South Africa during the 2023 African Cup of Nations match for third place between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Félix Houphouët-Boigny Region, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, February 10, 2024. A serious challenge. (Photo: Samuel Shivambu/Backpage Pix)
Democratic Republic of the Congo's Joris Kayembe (right) and South Africa's Teboho Mokoena (R) during the third place match between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Félix-Houphouët-Boigny region in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on February 10, 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE/LEGNAN KOULA)
great sparring
The matchup was entertaining, but the only thing missing from a series of beautiful plays was a goal. Both Bafana Bafana and Leopards committed overly complicated plays in the final third. Players from each country seemed intent on sending the ball into the net rather than taking shots.
The defenses of each team also took a resolute stance in response to the demands, but they suppressed their respective attacks and it was difficult to score the first goal.
However, as time went on, it was the Democratic Republic of Congo that had a better chance of scoring. If only the Central African nation hadn't been so wasteful, breaking through Bafana Bafana's backline at times.
Twice the South Africans played more than 120 minutes of football and trailed Hugo Bruce's side, looking increasingly exhausted. The victory in the quarterfinals against Cape Verde was decided in a penalty shootout after extra time, just like the semifinal match against Nigeria. This appears to have hit South African men hard.
Therefore, it was probably to their advantage that there would be no overtime in the bronze game. Instead, the action went straight to the spot-kick, which relieved a exhausted Bafana Bafana who were stretched for another 30 minutes by Leopards.
Team-mates were left in disgust after midfielder Teboho Mokoena missed South Africa's first spot-kick. Williams then made a save. And one more thing. This sealed South Africa's victory.
South Africa head coach Hugo Bruce reacts during the 2023 African Cup of Nations third place play-off between South Africa and Democratic Republic of the Congo in Félix-Houphouët-Boigny Region, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, February 10, 2024 (Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix)
bright future
A surprising player in the tournament hosted by Ivory Coast was South Africa. As a result, team coach Bruce admitted there have already been inquiries about some of the players who have impressed on Bafana Bafana's run to the Afcon semi-finals for the first time in 24 years.
Coach Bruce did not name the player who drew attention. However, while players such as Mokoena, skipper and goalkeeper Williams and Themba Zwane have had exceptional individual performances, age may be a hindrance as the latter two are both over 30. There is sex.
Mokoena's midfield partner Sfephelo Sithole is already based in Europe. He currently wears the colors of Portuguese second division side CD Tondela. The club may struggle to retain the 24-year-old after his strong performance in Ivory Coast.
“I'm very happy to play in an Afcon like this and to prove that we have good players in South Africa. European teams are also interested. [in our players now]” Bruce said before competing for the bronze medal.
“That means we performed very well and our players showed that they can play at a higher level than in the South African championship,” said the 71-year-old Belgian.
“We're a good team now. That means we don't have to be afraid anymore when we play against the big African powers. We're fine and we have to believe in that.”
Indeed, the South African players came out of the tournament in a completely different shape than when they took part a month ago. They are a confident team. A unique team. More importantly, they have a great foundation to build on for the next Afcon in 2025 and the FIFA World Cup in 2026. DM
