South Africa defeated DR Congo 6-5 on penalties in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations third place play-off on Saturday after a goalless 120 minutes in Abidjan.

This was South Africa’s second ever AFCON bronze medal and first since 2000.

The two coaches made changes changes to the starting teams hoping to claim third place in the competition .

The first half did not see much action from the two sides with few chances created in in the final third.

DR Congo looked to up the tempo in the second period after the break with attacks coming from Simon Banza and Grady Diangana. However, the Leopards were so wasteful in front of goal and failed to convert any of the chances.

Bafana Bafana also struggled to create openings until the latter stages. Substitute Mihlali Mayambela almost won it late on but fired over.

With penalties looming, South Africa held their nerve. After 11 perfect spot-kicks, DR Congo’s Chancel Mbemba crucially missed to hand Bafana Bafana bronze.