Williams does it again with 2 saves in shootout for South Africa to finish 3rd at Africa Cup

South Africa players celebrate winning the penalty shootout during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between South Africa and DR Congo, at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — South Africa captain Ronwen Williams did it again Saturday with two penalty saves in the shootout to beat Congo 6-5 on penalties for the Bafana Bafana to finish third at the Africa Cup of Nations.

DR Congo’s players watches on as South Africa players celebrate winning the penalty shootout during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between South Africa and DR Congo, at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

Their match had ended 0-0 after normal time. No extra time was played.

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Williams, who made four penalty saves in the quarterfinal win over Cape Verde, saved Chancel Mbemba’s fifth penalty for Congo to keep his team in the match, then saved Meschack Elia’s effort to win it.

DR Congo’s head coach Sébastien Desabre gestures from the on the touchline during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between South Africa and DR Congo, at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

Teboho Mokoena hit the left post with South Africa’s first penalty before both teams’ players scored until Mbemba was poised to win it. Williams guessed correctly and saved in the bottom left corner.

DR Congo’s Simon Banza, left, jumps for a header with South Africa’s Siyanda Xulu during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between South Africa and DR Congo, at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

It ensured the Bafana Bafana won without creating a clear goal-chance in regular time.

DR Congo’s Simon Banza, left, attempts a goal shot as South Africa’s goalkeeper Ronwen Williams makes a save during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between South Africa and DR Congo, at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

Silas Katompa Mvumpa had the best early chance when he only had the goalkeeper to beat, but Williams reacted well and was able to pounce on the ball at Silas’ feet.

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The Leopards went on to create the better opportunities. Williams got down early to thwart Simon Banza early in the second half, Silas missed another great opportunity in the 65th, and Fiston Mayele went just wide in the final minute of normal time. Yoane Wissa fired the last good chance to the right and wide in stoppage time.

DR Congo’s head coach Sébastien Desabre stands on the touchline during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between South Africa and DR Congo, at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

It was the last game of the tournament played in the Félix-Houphouët-Boigny Stadium, whose surrounding streets are home to several thousand noisy bats.

South Africa’s Mihlali Mayambela, right, controls the ball as DR Congo’s Joris Kayembe chases him during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between South Africa and DR Congo, at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

South Africa star Percy Tau missed the match with an injury. South Africa coach Hugo Broos said before it that the “ game should not be played.” He had wanted to play in the final on Sunday.

South Africa’s head coach Hugo Broos stands on the touchline before the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between South Africa and DR Congo, at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

South Africa lost to Nigeria, and Congo lost to Ivory Coast in the semifinals.

Referee Bamlak Tessema Weyesa of Ethiopia, left, shows a yellow card to DR Congo’s Aaron Tshibola during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between South Africa and DR Congo, at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

Host nation Ivory Coast plays three-time champion Nigeria in Sunday’s final.

South Africa’s Nkosinathi Sibisi, back, challenges DR Congo’s Simon Banza during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between South Africa and DR Congo, at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

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DR Congo’s Brian Bayeye, left, challenges South Africa’s Mihlali Mayambela during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between South Africa and DR Congo, at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

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The team from DR Congo pose for a group photo before the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between South Africa and DR Congo, at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

The team from South Africa pose for a group photo before the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between South Africa and DR Congo, at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)