South Africa-DR Congo : Playing For Bronze

The sparks of AFCON 2023 may not glow with the intensity of the final, but the heat will be on when South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo lock horns in the third-place match on Saturday February 10, 2024 at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan. Both sides, still smarting from semi-finals heartbreak, have a chance to salvage pride and claim the consolation prize of bronze.
South Africa's journey has been full of emotions. After finishing second in their group, they navigated Morocco and then held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout against Cape Verde. Yet, their dream run hit a wall against Nigeria, where a 1-1 draw ultimately yielded to penalty heartbreak. While disappointment lingers, coach Hugo Broos will be urging his men to channel their frustration into a dominant display and end the tournament on a winning note. However, they will miss the suspended defender Grant Kekana, forcing adjustments to their defensive solidity.
DR Congo's path has been equally unpredictable. They finished second in their group and their dramatic victories against Egypt and Guinea showcased their fighting spirit, but a narrow 1-0 defeat to the host, Côte d’Ivoire ended their title dreams. Now, Coach Sebastien Desabre has the task of motivating his char...