AFCON 2023: Ronwen Williams helps South Africa to bronze

Matches for 3rd place have usually produced open games between two sides who are disappointed to have lost in the semi-finals but are playing with free minds and no pressure. The one at the previous edition, between Burkina Faso and Cameroon, for example, went down in the annals. Trailing 3-0 at home to the Stallions, the Cameroonians managed to level at 3-3 before winning on penalties (5-3). This one, at an otherwise wild AFCON 2023, is the exception. The Congolese and the South Africans really failed to light up the Félicia.

South Africa, who come into this off two periods of extra time and rotated their squad less than DR Congo, looked very ill at ease. Hugo Broos' men offered nothing. And over the 45 minutes of the second half, they were several times fortunate not to be punished. But the Congolese, more enterprising it is true, were let down by very poor finishing in front of goal.

With neither side finding the net in the 90 minutes, it was the penalty shootout that separated them. Mokoena, taking first for South Africa, missed. But the Congolese, who had led the way, went on to squander the match point. Chancel Mbemba found Ronwen Williams in his way, even though his first four team-mates had all sent the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper the wrong way. Meshak Elia also saw his effort saved in sudden death.

Twenty-four years on, South Africa finish in 3rd place at the AFCON.