AFCON 2023: Keeper Ronwen Williams Secures Bronze Medal For South Africa
- As DR Congo lose 6-5 on penalties
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – Bafana Bafana of South Africa defeated their DR Congo’s counterparts, The Leopards 6-5 on penalties to bag the AFCON 2023 bronze medal on Saturday night.
In the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) third-place playoff match that saw the Congolese asserting their presence early, Bafana’s safe hands, keeper Ronwen Williams again exhibited sharp reflexes to secure the podium appearance for his country.
Always in his best elements, Skipper Williams thwarted efforts by the DR Congo front line all through the regulation time.
With the game becoming more expansive as the minutes ticked away, both sides failed to find the back of each other’s net in the first half.
The second half played out the same with the two teams unable to convert the chances that came their way, resulting in the goalless scoreline recorded at the end of full-time.
The match headed straight into penalties where Williams once again was the star of the show, saving Meshack Elia’s sudden death penalty to guide the South Africans to a third-place finish.
It was not surprising therefore as Williams, tested constantly in regulation time and remained solid in between the posts, was picked as the ‘Most Valuable Player’ (MVP) on the night.
Again, his heroics came out in the penalty shootout where he stood firm to guide the nation to the bronze medal victory.
Going forward for the South Africans, the local-based players will return to their clubs as the country’s Premier Soccer League (PLS) action resumes on February 13th while the foreign-based ones jet back to their bases.
