South Africa aims to conclude their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign on a high as they face off against DR Congo at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium this Saturday evening, competing for the tournament’s third-place position.
Bafana Bafana showcased a commendable performance throughout the tournament, securing second place in Group E. They advanced past Morocco with a 2-0 victory in the Round of 16 and edged out Cape Verde in a nail-biting penalty shootout in the quarterfinals.
However, their journey towards the final was halted by Nigeria, who bested them in a penalty shootout in the semifinals.
On the other side, the Leopards managed to draw all their group-stage matches, yet successfully moved into the knockout stages. They triumphed over Egypt in the Round of 16 through penalties and overcame Guinea with a 3-1 win in the quarterfinals. Their quest for the final was stopped short by a 1-0 defeat to the host nation Ivory Coast in the semifinals.
Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana’s head coach, is anticipated to switch back to a four-man defence following the team’s attempt to match Nigeria’s three-back formation in their semifinal loss. With Grant Kekana missing the Nigeria match due to a red card, Siyanda Xulu is expected to fill the centre-back role.
For the DRC, Theo Bongonda is poised to start, taking over from Gael Kakuta, who had just returned to play against Ivory Coast but was substituted at halftime. Leopards’ head coach Sebastien Desabre is likely to call upon his key players from Afcon 2023, including Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku, Samuel Moutoussamy, and Gedeon Kalulu, for one final performance on Saturday.
Despite the semifinal setback, Hugo Broos remains proud of his team, highlighting their commendable performance throughout the tournament. “I am very proud of the players and how we’ve showcased ourselves as a formidable team. That’s what truly matters,” he stated.
Conversely, DR Congo’s head coach, Sebastien Desabre, expressed disappointment over missed opportunities in their semifinal clash against Ivory Coast. “We failed to capitalize on our chances and, despite our efforts and tactical changes, we couldn’t find the equalizer,” Desabre commented, also acknowledging the strength of their opponents.
Siyanda Xulu is under the spotlight, stepping in for the suspended Grant Kekana, and is expected to solidify Bafana Bafana’s defence. Gael Kakuta, DR Congo’s influential playmaker, is another player to watch, especially after his limited playtime in the semifinal due to fitness concerns.
The history between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo has been closely contested, with their last five encounters mostly ending in a 1-0 scoreline, apart from a 2-2 draw during a World Cup qualifier in 2005. This upcoming match promises to add another intriguing chapter to their rivalry.