From our special correspondent in Abidjan – South Africa secured 3rd place in CAN 2024 by beating DR Congo on penalties (0-0, 6-5 tab), Saturday at the Félicia stadium in Abidjan. The Leopards may have regrets, as they missed the opportunity to close the match in regulation time.
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Before the match, South Africa coach Hugo Broos saw a small final which would be played out on “mental freshness” post-elimination. To achieve this goal, the Belgian has chosen continuity, largely renewing the framework made in Mamelodi Sundowns. Opposite choice for Sébastien Desabre who decides to renew his 11 and give a chance to replacements: Simon Banza, Dimitry Bertaud, Aaron Tshibola, Grady Diangana, Brian Bayeye and Joris Kayembe are all established.
🐆 The 1️⃣1️⃣ entering from the DRC with several changes!
Simon Banza, Dimitry Bertaud, Aaron Tshibola, Grady Diangana, Brian Bayeye and Joris Kayembe are starters!
Gaël Kakuta is absent again
Your impressions ? #RDCRSA #CAN2023 pic.twitter.com/P4oFkSCn05
— LEOPARDSFOOT (@leopardsfoot) February 10, 2024
The new kids from the DRC have the chance to play in a stadium that is certainly sparse, but supportive of their cause. The Congolese supporters are few in number but they know how to set the mood from their turn. This encourages the Leopards to rush forward from the kick-off: Banza finds Diangana in the area but he misses the target (1st).
Sterile Bafana Bafana
An alert without consequences. Bafana Bafana do not panic and put in place their ultra polished collective game. The Congolese run after the ball and are carried around in a big 10-man pass. But the South Africans struggle to be dangerous except for long shots from Magkopa (19th) and Mayambela (43rd). Nothing to worry about Chancel Mbemba and his gang.
If they don’t have possession, the Leopards have the fangs. Their direct attacks are much more dangerous than those of their opponents. Silas Wamangituka is found behind the defense but comes up against Williams (8th). From the left side of the pitch, Diangana takes the time to cross towards the far post and Banza is a few centimeters short of catching the ball in the air (39th).
The Leopards have bite
Sébastien Desabre’s men come out of the locker room determined. The Leopards continue to attack the South African defense. Banza is untenable (47th, 52nd, 53rd). Elia attempts a powerful free kick. It is blocked by Williams (60th).
The Congolese then miss the inevitable. On a miss from Williams in his penalty area, Elia and Silas fail to score in the goal deserted by the goalkeeper, guarded by only a few defenders (64th). Then it was Captain Mbemba’s turn to miss in an improbable way, at close range (75th).
The Leopards will bite their fingers with so many failures, to which are added those of Mayele (89th) and Wissa (90th + 1). The DR Congo signs its fifth draw in the CAN and will have to face a specialist in the exercise during the penalties, impressive against Cape Verde.
And once again, Ronwen Williams proves decisive, making Mbemba stagger on the shot which could have awarded victory to the DR Congo. He then blocks Elia’s shot to offer the bronze medal to his partners. Leopards can harbor regrets, even if their journey was already successful. The Congolese will applaud their beautiful audience, as a promise made for the future.
