While waiting for the grand final, this Sunday between Nigeria and the Ivorian hosts, CAN 2024 experienced its small final this Saturday evening, which was to determine who from the DR Congo or South Africa would leave with the bronze medal. At the end of a long, intense and close match at the Félix-Houphouët-Boigny stadium in Abidjan, it was ultimately Bafana Bafana who won thanks to the penalty shootout (0-0, 6- 5 tab).
A cruel session for Sébastien Desabre’s Leopards, who had moved the world in the previous round by denouncing the tragedies currently taking place in their country. Since the South Africans had missed their first attempt, it was Marseillais Chancel Mbemba, the fifth Congolese shooter, who had the match point for his country. And who unfortunately missed it. Behind, the “sudden death” turned to the advantage of the South Africans, with Ronwen Williams who intervened on the final attempt of the Young Boys of Berne striker, Meschack Elia.
It was a relatively close match between both teams. South Africa slightly dominated the debates, and even if the Congolese selection had more shots (13 to 6), they were never really able to prove themselves dangerous enough to worry their opponent. This is the second time that Bafana Bafana have secured this 3rd place at the CAN after 2000.
