South Africa Obtaining third place in the African Cup of Nations finals Cote d’Ivoire When they beat the Democratic Republic of the Congo 6-5 on penalties after a goalless draw at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Saturday.
South African midfielder Teboho Mokoena She hit the outside post with the first kick and then the next eight attempts were successful, leaving the DRC captain Chancel Mbemba You need to register to win the contest.
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But the South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams Mbemba’s effort was saved, resulting in sudden death in the shootout.
Williams then made another save from Meshack Elia to win the tie.
“The South African team was tired today,” South Africa coach Hugo Bruce said before referring to his team’s difficult schedule of matches. “We were not fresh. But when you see the mentality in that group, they are fighting for it until the last second of the game. There were players who almost collapsed from exhaustion but they were not finished yet.”
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No additional time was played in the bronze medal match, which the Congolese dominated despite their weakness in front of goal.
Silas Katumba had two dangerous opportunities to put the team ahead, the first in the eighth minute when he started from the left side and Williams had no choice but to gain the advantage, but his hesitation allowed the goalkeeper to seize the ball at his feet.
When Williams dropped a high ball into his team’s penalty area in the middle of the second half, without any pressure on him, Katumba had an easier opportunity but shot into the side netting.
Fifteen minutes before the end, DRC striker Simon Panza He also had a clear vision on goal, but he missed his attempt from close range.
substitute Veston Miley He succeeded in shooting a long ball at his chest and deflecting it away from his marker, but he also missed his shot in the 89th minute, which went wide of the goal.
“Congo were better than us, Congo had more chances than us. But again, if you fight for it like my players did today, I think they deserve it and I’m very proud of them,” Bruce said.
South Africa lost on penalties after extra time in the semi-final on Wednesday Nigerialooked tired as they made only three changes to their lineup, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo gave the opportunity to all their reserve players with nine changes after their midweek loss to Ivory Coast.
On Sunday, host Ivory Coast will meet Nigeria in Abidjan to determine the continental title.
Information from Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
