AFCON 2023: South Africa triumphs in dramatic penalty shootout to cecure third place
By Rama Mohammed |
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In a tense battle for the third-place podium at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), South Africa and DR Congo delivered a nail-biting encounter that culminated in a gripping penalty shootout. The match saw both teams squander opportunities in regular time, with chances aplenty but goals scarce.
The early stages of the game saw DR Congo fashion the first chances, with Grady George shooting wide in the opening minute and Silas Katompa missing a clear goalscoring opportunity in the 8th minute. South Africa struggled to find their rhythm, with Evidence Makgopa's shot from the edge of the box easily gathered by DRC keeper Dimitry Jean Yaka in the 43rd minute marking their first real chance of the match.
The second half witnessed further near misses, with Grady Diangana shooting wide for DR Congo in the 53rd minute and Chancel Mbemba failing to capitalize on a golden opportunity in the 74th minute. As the clock ticked towards full time, it was evident that neither side would break the deadlock, leading to a tense penalty shootout.
With the pressure on, both teams traded blows from the spot, showcasing nerves of steel and precision. Teboho Mokeana's miss for South Africa was quickly followed by Jayden Oswin's conversion for DR Congo. However, South Africa rallied, with Emmanuel Sibisi, Amod Monare, Aubrey Maphosa Modiba, Lerato Lepasa, and Siyanda Xulu all finding the back of the net.
In a dramatic turn of events, it was DR Congo's Elia Lina who faltered at the crucial moment, missing his penalty and handing victory to South Africa. With a final score of 6-5 in the shootout, South Africa clinched third place in a thrilling finale to their AFCON campaign.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on the final, South Africa can take pride in their resilient performance and ability to hold their nerve in the face of intense pressure. As for DR Congo, they will rue missed opportunities but can take heart from a spirited display against formidable opposition.
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