South Africa defeated DR Congo 6-5 in a penalty shootout after a stalemate at full time on Saturday evening to win the third place play-off match of the Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023.
Quarter final hero Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams reignited his exploits at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium in Abidjan when he saved two spot kicks out of seven, from DR Congo’s Chancel Mbemba and Meschack Elia to give Bafana Bafana the AFCON 2023 bronze medal.
Williams had saved four penalties in last weekend’s quarter final to help South Africa beat Cape Verde after a goalless 120 minutes.
Bafana Bafana scored six of their spot kicks on Saturday to banish the ghosts of losing the semi final shootouts against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
Meanwhile, Nigeria face hosts Cote d’Ivoire in Sunday’s final at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan. Both finalists are former AFCON champions.
This is the second time Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire will face in the AFCON 2023 following the 1-0 victory for the Super Eagles in the group stages.
Côte d’Ivoire are the first host nation to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final since Egypt in 2006, who won the trophy that year on penalties against Cote d’Ivoire after a 0-0 draw.
Nigeria are playing in their eighth AFCON final, only Egypt and Ghana (both 9) have played in more such games in the competition (excluding final groups).
While the Elephants are hoping to claim a third crown, the Super Eagles are aiming to win their fourth AFCON title.
