AFCON 2015: DR Congo and Equatorial Guinea Battle for Bronze in Tense Third-Place Play-Off
As the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations nears its conclusion, DR Congo and Equatorial Guinea clash this afternoon in Malabo with third place on the line. While the tournament’s dramatic narrative has been dominated by shocks, controversies, and remarkable goals, this play-off match offers one last chance at glory—particularly for the Congolese, who enter the tie as favourites.
Florent Ibenge’s DR Congo side have shown consistency and resilience throughout the competition. After drawing all three group stage matches, they delivered a stirring 4-2 comeback win over neighbours Congo Brazzaville in the quarter-finals. Despite a valiant effort, the Leopards fell short in the semi-final against a strong Ivorian team, losing 3-1.
But coach Ibenge insists the team remains focused. “The atmosphere in camp is calm. We’ve worked on lifting the players’ spirits after the semi-final loss. The goal is to leave the tournament on a positive note,” he told reporters.
Ibenge was clear about the team’s mindset: “Football isn’t just about putting on a show—it’s about winning. Third place is still a prize worth fighting for.”
That incentive is even greater given the occasion: veteran goalkeeper and national hero Robert Kidiaba is set to make his final appearance in a Leopards shirt. The 39-year-old, famous not only for his shot-stopping but also his iconic “bum shuffle” goal celebration, will retire from international football after the match.
“This is more than a game—it’s the end of an era,” Ibenge said. “We want to honour Kidiaba with a win.”
For Equatorial Guinea, the tournament has been a mix of underdog success and off-pitch controversy. After unexpectedly reaching the semi-finals, the hosts suffered a 3-0 defeat to Ghana in a match marred by crowd violence and a 30-minute suspension of play. With national pride still on the line, coach Esteban Becker hopes his players can recover mentally and physically for this final hurdle.
“We’ve exceeded expectations, and now we want to finish with dignity,” said Becker. “Nobody thought we’d make it this far. Now we must aim for third place.”
The match, scheduled for 4 p.m. GMT at the Estadio de Malabo, will be played under tight security measures, following the chaos of Thursday’s semi-final. CAF has decided against holding the match behind closed doors, but officials are on high alert to avoid a repeat of the disturbances.
DR Congo last appeared in a third-place play-off in 1998, when they beat hosts Burkina Faso. A similar outcome today would serve as a fitting send-off for one of African football’s enduring figures—and a satisfying conclusion for a team that has grown steadily throughout the tournament.
