Finished
0 (6)
-0 (5)
South Africa - Congo DR
Africa Cup of Nations - Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny
3rd Place Playoff
Prediction 1
Under 2.5 Goals
3/5 (1.60)
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Odds from
Prediction 2
1-0 South Africa
15/2 (8.50)
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Odds from
* Betting odds were correct at the time of publication but are subject to change
It's time for our AFCON predictions ahead of the Third-Place Play-Off between South Africa and Congo DR. Both of these teams came close to making it through to the final, especially Bafana Bafana who lost a penalty shoot-out against Nigeria in the Semi-Finals. South Africa finished third back in 2000, while Congo DR claimed third place in both the 1998 and 2015 tournaments so both nations have been here and done it all before.
Contents
South Africa vs Congo DR prediction – Betting tips & odds
Hot Tip – Under 2.5 Goals
- Three of the last four meetings between South Africa and Congo DR have produced under 2.5 goals.
- Five of Congo DR's last six matches have featured fewer than three goals.
Another reason why we're backing under 2.5 goals in this game is that each of South Africa's last four matches have produced under 2.5 goals.
Latest odds
Head to Head
12/09/23
International Match International
South Africa
Congo DR
1
0
Last Five - South Africa
03/05/25
African Nations C'ship Qualifying African
Malawi
South Africa
1
0
L
25/03/25
Africa - World Cup Qualifying Africa
Benin
South Africa
0
2
W
21/03/25
Africa - World Cup Qualifying Africa
Lesotho
South Africa
0
2
W
02/03/25
African Nations C'ship Qualifying African
Egypt
South Africa
1
1
D
19/11/24
Africa Cup of Nations Qualification Africa
South Sudan
South Africa
0
3
W
Last Five - Congo DR
25/03/25
Africa - World Cup Qualifying Africa
Mauritania
Congo DR
0
2
W
21/03/25
Africa - World Cup Qualifying Africa
South Sudan
Congo DR
0
1
W
19/11/24
Africa Cup of Nations Qualification Africa
Ethiopia
Congo DR
2
1
L
16/11/24
Africa Cup of Nations Qualification Africa
Guinea
Congo DR
1
0
L
15/10/24
Africa Cup of Nations Qualification Africa
Tanzania
Congo DR
0
2
W
Win probability
- HOME: 43/18 (3.39) – 29.5%
- DRAW: 23/10 (3.30) – 30.3%
- AWAY: 11/8 (2.38) – 42.1%
Congo DR are the expected winners of this game with a probability of 42.1%, but we are expecting a tight and tense match. For more football betting tips on this AFCON 2023 Third-Place Play-Off, check out the Both Teams to Score market.
You can back BTTS in this game at 19/20 (1.95) which has a probability of 51.3%, or you can go with BTTS – No at 9/10 (1.90) which has a probability of 52.6%.
South Africa vs Congo DR prediction – Other tips
Correct Score: 1-0
- South Africa have won three of their last five meetings with Congo DR.
- South Africa have kept four clean sheets at AFCON 2023.
Teboho Mokoena to Score Anytime
- Mokoena is the joint-top scorer for South Africa at AFCON 2023 with two goals.
- Mokoena is a set-piece specialist and likes to take shots from long range in open play.
South Africa vs Congo DR team news
South Africa
South Africa came so close to reaching the final after taking one of the pre-tournament favourites to a penalty shoot-out. Nigeria looked like they had done enough to win the semi-final as they headed into the final minute with a one-goal advantage. However, a mistimed tackle in the penalty area offered South Africa the chance to take the game into extra-time and Teboho Mokoena coolly slotted home to level the scoreline.
No further goals were scored in extra-time meaning the match had to be settled on penalties, though, South Africa did have a man sent-off in the 115th minute which means Nigeria had to remove one of their players from the shootout. Not that it mattered in the end though as Nigeria converted four of their five spot kicks and South Africa missed two of their opening four, sending the West African giants through to the final.
Defender Gomolemo Kekana was the player sent off in extra-time for South Africa and he will now miss the third-place play-off against Congo DR on Saturday.
Predicted Lineup: Williams (GK), Xulu, Sibisi, Mvala, Mudau, Zwane, Modiba, Sithole, Mokoena, Tau & Makgopa
Congo DR
Congo DR were always going to be up against it in their semi-final against the home nation Ivory Coast. Despite a bright start to the game, Congo DR ended up on the back foot with Ivory Coast coming close to breaking the deadlock on several occasions in the first half but the teams went in goalless at the break.
Ivory Coast did make their control of the match count in the sixty-fifth minute when Sebastien Haller's mishit shot looped over Lionel Mpasi and into the back of the Congo DR net. Chasing the game, Congo DR sent on a number of attacking substitutes and created chances but the Ivory Coast held on to claim their spot in the final against Nigeria.
Gael Kakuta picked up an injury during the early stages of AFCON 2023 but started against Ivory Coast but only lasted until halftime so it will be interesting to see if he is fit enough to start against South Africa at the weekend.
Predicted Lineup: Mpasi (GK), Mbemba, Masuaku, Kalulu, Inonga, Kakuta, Wissa, Moutoussamy, Pickel, Bakambu & Elia
South Africa
Congo DR
*Lineups are usually announced 1hr before kick-off
Player to Watch: Themba Zwane
South Africa's veteran forward Themba Zwane had impressed at AFCON 2023, scoring two goals on his country's way to the semi-finals.
The 34-year-old has scored seven goals in thirty-seven caps and is expected to lead the line against Congo DR on Saturday. South Africa have exceeded expectations at AFCON 2023 with their largely home-based squad that has such a strong defensive record and one of Africa's top goalkeepers between the sticks.
However, goals will games and we're backing Zwane to put in another good performance up front, holding up the ball, winning free-kicks and bringing his teammates into play.
