African Cup of Nations 2023 Third Place Match /Losers Game .
South Africa vs Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo . today at the Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abdijan .

After two breath taking semi finals against Nigeria and host Ivory Coast , one stretching I to extra time and subsequent penalties and later , the regulation time of 90 minutes , , South Africa and DR Congo, the Leopards , this evening will show case what remains in their arsenal of football prowess .

One will wonder what remains of the Bafana Bafana after the mental and physical exertion of playing extra time in both quarter finals and semi finals respectively .
Hugo Brooks men could still be haunted by their exit on Wednesday against Nigeria , after rheirf superior back three defence formation as well as coherence in the better part of the encounter , which the Super Eagles remained passive and did not bother the Bafana Bafana for possession but maintained a tidy defensive back line

While DR Congo s wait for a Continental Glory since 1974 continues , Sebastien Desabre s men lost to the Elephants of Ivory Coast 1-0., with Sabastian Haillers 65 minutes , unorthodox looping over Mpasi.
DR Congo have lost their last three semi finals, exiting in 1998 to South Africa and 2015 to Ivory Coast , then the present tournament , they go to the third place match with their heads high
DR Congo are likely to be in a revenge mood as history is on their side after coming third in 1998 and 2015 respectively , they seem to be saying inwardly , “” It’s Now Our Turn ”” to get a medal , we all know rhe history and genesis of “Its Now My Turn ” in one of our West African countries ., hahahahahhahaa, let it be their turn today to claim the third place medal .

However , there is a major problem on their way to the third place match , if the present records are anything to go by, they may not have it so easy , they came from the back door to get today the third place match today , they progressed from their group without winning a match and only qualified against Egypt via penalties ., that’s a minus for them statistically .

After surviving the heat and pressure of the semi finals on Wednesday , Hugo Broos is expected to revert to a back four, having matched Nigeria’s back three in the semi-final defeat.
Siyanda Xulu is expected to keep his place in the team at centre-back after Grant Kekana’s extra-time sending-off against Nigeria.
Gael Kakuta returned to the side against the Elephants but only lasted 45 minutes before going off for Theo Bongonda, and the latter should play from the off for DRC against South Africa.
Desabre could ask his AFCON 2023 outfield ever-presents Chancel Mbemba, Gedeon Kalulu, Arthur Masuaku and Samuel Moutoussamy for one more performance on Saturday.

Today’s third place match definitely may not see many goals but there will be goals.as the two teams are a bit exhausted as they play the losers games , especially Sout Africa who have seen 120 minutes of football action twice both in the quarter finals and semi finals , definitely , the Leopards of DR Congo will exploit this weekness as the Bafana Bafana may be lacking in strenght as wll as football prowess .
Predictions today –
South Africa 1-2 or 1-1 , Over 1.5 goals .

Happy Viewing and Happy weekend ,

See you tomorrow for the AFCON grande finale match previews , team news down to earth analysis between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and hosts Elephants of Ivory Coast..
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Uchefreetips (2024 C ).