Following the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) third-place final, Democratic Republic of Congo coach, Sabastian Desabre, has provided insights into his team’s loss to South Africa in the bronze medal match, held in Ivory Coast.
The game concluded in a 0-0 draw after 120 minutes, with South Africa emerging victorious in a penalty shoot-out with a score of 6-5.
Addressing the media in Abidjan after the match, Desabre attributed his team’s defeat to their inability to convert scoring opportunities against the Bafana Bafana.
Desabre remarked, “We aimed to conclude the competition on a positive note, but our performance in this match does not overshadow the commendable display throughout the AFCON and the dedication shown by the players over the past few weeks.”
He continued, “We secured the fourth position instead of the third due to our inability to capitalize on the chances we created.”
Desabre concluded, “Despite the outcome, I am proud of the players’ commitment, evident in their display, even when fatigued.”