Goalkeeper and Captain, Ronwen Williams was the hero again for South Africa as Bafana Bafana beat the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo 6-5 on penalties in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations third place play-off on Saturday.
After a Goalless draw in Abidjan, Williams saved spot kicks from Chancel Mbemba and Meschack Elia to give Bafana Bafana the bronze medal.
Before Elia had his kick saved, Siyanda Xulu converted to give South Africa what proved the decisive lead in the shootout.
Williams saved four shootout kicks last weekend to help South Africa get past Cape Verde after a goalless quarter-final.
D.R Congo will regret not taking many of the chances they got during regular time in a lively match while South Africa maintained a perfect record in third place play-offs having beaten Tunisia on penalties 24 years ago.
South Africa made three changes to the team beaten in a penalty shootout by Nigeria after an incident-packed semi-final three days ago.
DR Congo retained only two of the side that lost to hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the other semi-final.
Although the Congolese had less of the ball in the opening half, they were the more threatening team in attack.
Physically imposing Silas Mvumpa came close to breaking the deadlock after just eight minutes, but as he tried to round Williams in the area, the goalkeeper snatched the ball.
A captivating tournament concludes on Sunday at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan as hosts Cote d’Ivoire take on Nigeria.
The two countries met at the group stage last month at the same venue and with the Super Eagles winning 1-0 thanks to a William Troost-Ekong penalty.
The winner of the final will earn 7 million dollars in prize money