For the third week in a row, South Africa’s 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) fate had to be decided by spot kicks.

Bafana Bafana faced the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) in the third-place final after being defeated by Nigeria in the semi-final. DR Congo lost to hosts Ivory Coast in their semi-final clash.

In yesterday’s match, played at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, a goalless encounter after 90 minutes meant the bronze medallist had to be decided from the penalty spot as no additional time is played in the third-place play-off.

Familiar territory

In what is reminiscent of the Springboks’ 2023 Rugby World Cup heroics (winning their knockout round matches with one point to become champions), Bafana Bafana kept everyone on the edge of their seats with a third match in a row being decided by penalties.

In their quarter-final encounter against Cape Verde, which finished goalless, captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made four penalty saves – the first time ever this had happened in the tournament.

After coming up trumps in that game, Bafana Bafana probably felt content with their semi-final match against Nigeria having to be settled from the spot after being tied 1-all after extra time.

Williams could not, however, save one of their penalties, and the Super Eagles booked their spot in the final.

Wondrous Williams

The captain led from the front again last night. He saved DR Congo’s fifth spot kick, from Chancel Mbemba, and after Siyanda Xulu scored for South Africa, Williams saved the opponent’s sixth penalty – from Meshack Elia, resulting in a 6-5 win for Bafana Bafana.

It is the second time Bafana Bafana have ended Afcon in third place – the first time was in 2000.

Bafana walk away with the bronze medal at AFCON
🗞⤵️https://t.co/yMYTYUOBTW

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) February 10, 2024

𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀. 🥉

Bafana Bafana take the bronze medal home! 🔥#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/mwFxDi5tgk

— CAF (@CAF_Online) February 10, 2024

Match highlights