Bafana Bafana to battle for ‘bronze’ at AFCON 2023

Bafana Bafana will turn their attention to Saturday’s third-place playoff after they were eliminated from title contention at this year’s delayed Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the Ivory Coast.

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South Africa lost their semi-final 4-2 on penalties against Nigeria on Wednesday evening after the score was deadlocked at 1-1 after extra-time.

Bafana Bafana will take on the Democratic Republic of Congo in that battle for the bronze medal after the second semi-final saw hosts Ivory Coast eke out a narrow 1-0 win over DR Congo.

The third-place playoff will take place on Saturday, 10 February, at 22:00 (SA time).

The final is scheduled for exactly 24 hours later.

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Leading South African bookmakers Hollywoodbets have found it difficult to separate Bafana Bafana and DR Congo.

South Africa are on offer at 23/10 to win, while DR Congo can be backed at 12/10.

The draw after 90 minutes is on offer at 2/1.

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Meanwhile, the final is also likely to be a tight affair, with Nigeria available at 33/20 and Ivory Coast installed at 7/4.

The draw is also available at 33/20.

Bafana Bafana is ranked 12th in Africa and 66th in the world in the latest FIFA rankings, with DR Congo a position behind at 13th and 67th, respectively.

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Meanwhile, Nigeria is sixth in Africa and 42nd in the world, with Ivory Coast eighth and 49th, respectively.

Who will be crowned champions – and finish in third place?

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