Bafana Bafana players are set to receive a significant bonus of R1 million each following their impressive performance at the African Nations Cup (Afcon) in Cote d’Ivoire. Securing third place in the tournament, after a victory against the Democratic Republic of Congo, has earned the team a share of the $2.5 million (R46.9 million) prize money awarded by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for advancing to the semi-finals.
Ivory Coast emerged victorious in the AFCON final 2024, defeating Nigeria in a thrilling match held last night at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, claiming glory on home soil. Bafana Bafana’s journey to third place included a nail-biting 6-5 victory on penalties against Democratic Republic of Congo in the third-place play-off on Saturday night. Captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams emerged as the hero of the day, saving two crucial penalties during the shootout, including the final kick from DRC’s Meschak Elia to secure victory for South Africa.
Williams’ outstanding performance throughout the tournament earned him the goalkeeper of the tournament award, having saved six penalties in three shootouts and keeping five clean sheets. Nigeria’s defender Williams Troost-Ekong was named Player of the Tournament after scoring three goals, while Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra was honored as the Young Player of the Tournament. Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue clinched the Golden Boot with five goals, and Ivory Coast coach Emerse Faé, appointed after the group stages, received the Best Coach of the Tournament award for leading his team to four wins in the knockout stages.
In addition to their individual accolades, Bafana Bafana also received the Fair Play Award and were awarded bronze medals in a ceremony held at the packed Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara. The team will soon return to South Africa after a challenging campaign that commenced last month with a training camp in Stellenbosch.
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