AFCON 2023: South Africa vs DR Congo: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Published at :February 9, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Modified at :February 9, 2024 at 2:30 PM

The third-place match of the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 is all set

In a tournament that has been full of surprises in the ongoing edition, South Africa will take on DR Congo in the third-place match of the AFCON 2023. Both sides have had a great tournament so far but failed to make it past the semi-final stage. They beat Morocco in the Round of 16 and Cape Verde on penalties in the quarter-finals. They lost to Nigeria in penalties, Nigeria converted four of their five spot kicks and South Africa missed two of their opening four, sending the West African giants through to the final.

DR Congo defeated one of the tournament favourites Egypt on penalties in the Round of 16 before getting past Guinea in the quarter-finals, but eventually lost to the host nation. It will be a mouthwatering clash for sure and both teams will be expected to play attacking football.

Kick-Off:

Saturday, 10th Feb 2024, 08:00 PM (GMT), 03:00 PM (EST)

Sunday, 11th Feb, 2024, 01:30 AM (IST)

Stadium: Stade Felix Boigny

Form

South Africa Form (All Competitions): L-W-W-D-W-L

DR Congo Form (All Competitions): L-W-W-D-D-D

Players to Watch

Themba Zwane (South Africa)

Dynamic, tricky and does not seem to be slowing down any time soon, Themba Zwane has already shown his intent to be one of the best footballers to ever grace South African football. When teams sit deep, he can use his dribbling and close control to create opportunities and when teams look to press high, he can break the press, by using deceptive manipulation of the ball.

Yoane Wissa (DR Congo)

Wissa’s wide range of goals is a testament to his quality, ranging from thumping emphatic efforts from 18 yards to clipping the ball delicately over the keeper from close range. Wissa is fairly agile, he can stop and start moving as well as change directions with or without the ball quite quickly and he rarely goes down easily when getting body-charged.

Match Facts

South Africa played their fourth semi-final at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations and their first since 2000, they lost the semifinal to Nigeria.
South Africa performed better in the group stages as compared to DR Congo.
DR Congo got three points in the group stage, since all their matches ended in a draw.

Injury and Team News

South Africa will be without Grant Kekana after his sending-off against Nigeria in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, DR Congo will be missing Edo Kayembe due to a calf injury.

Head-to-Head

Matches: 5

South Africa: 3

DR Congo: 1

Draws: 1

Predicted Lineup for South Africa vs DR Congo

South Africa Predicted Lineup (5-4-1):

Williams (GK); Xulu, Sibisi, Mvala, Mudau, Modiba; Zwane, Sithole, Mokoena, Tau; Makgopa

DR Congo Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Mpasi (GK); Mbemba, Masuaku, Kalulu, Inonga; Kakuta, Wissa; Moutoussamy, Pickel, Bakambu; Elia

Match Prediction for South Africa vs DR Congo

While both sides have fought hard at AFCON 2024, South Africa’s semi-final against Nigeria went into extra time and penalties. Meanwhile, Ivory Coast beat Congo in 90 minutes. Both team teams will give their all to win third place. Bafana Bafana will win this match to finish third in this tournament.

Prediction: South Africa 1-0 DR Congo

Telecast

India – FanCode

UK – Sky Sports

US – beIN Sports

Nigeria – NTA

AFCON 2023 Worldwide Broadcast Details: Click here

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