South Africa Wins Third Place In The 2023 Africa Cup Of Nations

JAKARTA - South Africa managed to secure third place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after overthrowing the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties 6-5 at the Felix Houphotot-Boigny Stadium, Sunday, February 11, 2024, early morning WIB.

South Africa and RD Congo played tight until the game ended 0-0 for 120 minutes.

Both teams made changes following defeats in the semifinals. South Africa lost to Nigeria in a 2-4 (1-1) penalty shootout, while RD Congo lost 0-1 to host Ivory Coast.

The game is very minimal of chances. The dominance is also not so far away where South Africa packs 56 percent possession of the ball. There were only three shots on target for each team.

The game only looks interesting in the second half. RD Congo is more lively through Simon Banza and Totaling Dinanga's often threatening actions. However, their final finish has not resulted in a goal.

Bafana Bafana, nicknamed South Africa, has difficulty creating a gap until the end. Their only golden opportunity came from substitute Mihlali Mayambela.

He almost scored a winning goal if his shot didn't jump slightly.

Shifting to two extra rounds is also minimal. No goals were created until the match continued to penalty shootout.

South Africa's first kicker, Teboho Mokoena, failed to carry out the execution. However, the position was a 4-4 draw when Chancel Mbemba from RD Congo also failed to do his job.

When the decisive kicker alias sixth executor, RD Congo was unlucky. Meschak Elia's kick failed, whilemen Xulu from South Africa succeeded.

The bronze medal or third place was South Africa's first achievement after last reaching it at the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations.

Meanwhile, the Congo RD is again in fourth place. They were in a similar position when they appeared in the 1972 edition of the African Cup of Nations when they were still named Congo-Kinshasa.

Apart from that, the two teams showed that their squad had great potential in the future.

Both South Africa and the RD Congo have many young shining players who will be the team's pillars in the next tournament.

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