What next for Bafana Bafana following AFCON 2023 thrashing by Nigeria?
Bafana Bafana will now focus on 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.
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 the team 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.
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.
South Africa’s team 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.
Meanwhile, Nigeria is sixth in Africa and 42nd in the world with Ivory Coast eighth and 49th, respectively.
