South Africa finished third at the Africa Cup of Nations, defeating DR Congo 6-5 on penalties to record their best Nations Cup finish since 2000.
Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams was instrumental once more, saving two penalty kicks in the quarter-finals.
First, DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba had an opportunity to win, but Williams blocked it, and Meshack Elia’s penalty was also saved.
After 90 minutes of play, the game was decided on penalties.
Williams saved four penalties in the shootout during the quarterfinal win over Cape Verde.
In Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, he again proved crucial when Tebogo Mokoena, who has been a significant player in South Africa’s success in Ivory Coast, missed the first penalty. Shortly after the skipper clinched South Africa’s victory, Belgian coach Hugo Broos was fired after finishing third after winning with Cameroon in 2017.
Bafana Bafana last been on the podium in 2000, defeating Tunisia on penalties, while DR Congo was hoping for their finest tournament since 1998.
DR Congo, meanwhile, failed to finish third for the first time since 1998, when South Africa last competed in a Nations Cup final and two years after their lone victory.
The Leopards will be perplexed as to how they failed to defeat South Africa after missing many chances late on, with Mbembe and Fiston Mayele squandering prime openings.