It’s time for The Game No One Wants To Qualify For at the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, as South Africa and DR Congo contest the 3rd/4th play-off in Cote d’Ivoire.
Things could have been oh so different for both, as they prepare to bury heads in hands 24 hours later when Nigeria contest the Afcon final against the host nation.
But it’s one last chance for both Bafana Bafana and the Leopards to end impressive campaigns on a high, with a place on the metaphorical podium to boot.
Afcon 3rd/4th play-off prediction and fixture for 10 February
*All kick off times are in Central Africa Time.
| Result prediction | South Africa to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / South Africa to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
South Africa vs DR Congo – 22.00
Two impressive teams from the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations bring down the curtain on their promising campaigns on Saturday night, as South Africa meet DR Congo in the 3rd/4th play-off.
An instant recovery from the agony of their semi-final exits will be essential, as the pair look to go out on a high in Cote d’Ivoire.
It was a particularly galling last four clash for Bafana Bafana.
They pushed big guns Nigeria all the way, only to crash out in the penalty shootout, as quarter-final hero Ronwen Williams was unable to repeat his goalkeeping feats.
A 90th-minute, Teboho Mokoena spot kick had rescued the 1996 Afcon champions in unbelievable fashion, as the referee combined with VAR to chalk off a Nigerian goal at the other end to come all the way back for a foul in the Super Eagles box.
But captain William Troost-Ekong, who had already slotted from 12 yards himself in regulation time, was among those who did the business when it mattered, paving the way for Kelechi Iheanacho to rifle in the winner.
It brought to an end a fine, unexpected run for veteran coach Hugo Broos and his charges, built on a solid defence and hard working midfield.
And who can forget the effort that saw them dump 2022 Fifa World Cup semi-finalists Morocco out of the tournament along the way?
Their opening defeat to Mali in the group stage certainly melted into the distant memory, as Bafana pieced together a serious tilt at a second continental title that perhaps just needed a touch more firepower at the sharp end to come good.
The Congolese are also cursing a narrow semi-final defeat.
A predictably edgy contest looked like also heading to extra time, until Sebastien Haller volleyed a shot into the turf that bounced up and over hapless keeper Lionel Mpasi.
It was a 65th-minute hammer blow to a Leopards side not exactly brimming with goal threat – and so it proved.
There were bigger things than football on the mind, too, with the men in blue using the national anthem line up to make a unified gesture to highlight the ongoing conflict in the east of the country.
But it’s a nation they’ve done proud, despite missing out on the final opportunity to emulate their last Afcon title all the way back in 1974.
With the next Cup of Nations to follow in Morocco in less than 18 months time, as well as a Fifa World Cup to aim for in the USA, Canada and Mexico, both sides have an opportunity to snatch a bronze medal and an impetus to carry on where they leave off on the West African coast.
All latest Afcon predictions
South Africa v Congo DR
| Result prediction | South Africa to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / South Africa to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Nigeria v Côte d’Ivoire
| Result prediction | Nigeria to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Nigeria / Nigeria to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | A. Lookman(Nigeria) |