DR Congo’s defender Dylan Batubinsika emphasized the team’s focus on extracting positives from their CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 campaign despite a disappointing outcome in the third and fourth-place playoff against South Africa.The game ended in a barren draw in regulation and extra time and had to be decided from the penalty spot where the Bafana Bafana won 6-5 to seal the third-place finish while the DR Congo ended their campaign with a fourth-place finish.##NAJAVA_MECA_7863387##Congo lost their semi final match to hosts Ivory Coast by a solitary goal while Bafana’s post-match shootout against Nigeria went against them setting up a third-place playoff tie between the two giants.Reflecting on their performance, the St. Etienne player acknowledged the significance of the journey and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete at such a level. He highlighted the team’s overall strong showing throughout the tournament, citing their unexpected progression to this stage as a source of pride and optimism for the future.”While the loss in the playoff is disappointing, I am grateful for the experience and believe we can take away valuable lessons,” remarked Batubinsika in an interview with CAF Media. “We must focus on the positives and use them as a foundation for our future endeavors.”Despite falling short of a medal, the defender stressed the importance of maintaining a positive outlook, particularly by recalling standout moments from their campaign. He singled out the memorable victory against Egypt as a highlight, emphasizing the team’s resilience and quality in overcoming formidable opposition.”As we reflect on our journey, I choose to cherish the positives. Our triumph against Egypt stands out as a testament to our determination and ability to rise to the occasion,” he concluded.The 2023 AFCON comes to a conclusion on Sunday evening with a match between Nigeria and the hosts Ivory Coast.AFCON 2023: Sometimes, ball does lie! Bafana Bafana win the bronze after being outplayed by DRCFinalSunday23:00: (2.70) Nigeria (3.10) Ivory Coast (3.00)***odds are subject to change***
