Democratic Republic of the Congo players celebrate after winning the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations third place play-off against hosts Equatorial Guinea in Malabo on Saturday. (AFP)

Reuters/Malabo

African Nations Cup hosts Equatorial Guinea ended their tournament on a low note as they lost the third-place playoff 4-2 on penalties after drawing 0-0 with Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday.
Javier Balboa and Raul Fabiani both missed with poor spot kicks, while all four DR Congo penalty takers found the net, with Cedric Mongongu firing home the decisive kick.
Although supporters largely stayed away from the playoff after the fan violence that marked Equatorial Guinea’s semi-final defeat to Ghana on Thursday, those in attendance created a fitting atmosphere for the hosts’ final match.
The two defeated semi-finalists played out a low-key but well-tempered 0-0 draw and had to be separated by the first penalty shootout of the 2015 event.
Equatorial Guinea looked lively and creative during the first half and the joy they elicited from the several hundred fans in attendance was a reminder of the positive impact they had earlier in the tournament.
However, the circling police helicopter betrayed the previous troubles at the Estadio de Malabo that made the playoff a subdued occasion.
Both attacking units were encouraged by unconvincing goalkeeping during the opening stages.
DR Congo’s Robert Kidiaba, playing his last international match, flapped at a number of chances prompting uncertainty among his defenders but recovered well to save his team.
The game opened up after the break, with both sides keen to take the initiative and claim the bronze medal.
Dieumerci Mbokani was introduced at half-time for the visitors but wasted a good opening with a scuffed finish after  52 minutes. Equatorial Guinea forced a last-gasp diving tackle from Cedric Mongongu after an hour as Emilio Nsue attempted to break through on goal, while Ruben Belima wasted a good opportunity for them after 77 minutes.
The contest ambled towards penalties, where Equatorial Guinea never recovered from opening misses by Javier Balboa, who blazed wide, and Raul Fabiani, whose weak shot was saved by Kidiaba.
Cedric Mabwati, Lema Mabidi, Chancel Mbemba and Mongongu converted for DR Congo, who received their bronze medals after the match.
Mbemba later said he knew his side would win the shootout. “I knew we would win,” Mbemba said. “I don’t take penalties for my club, nor in training, I rarely shoot in a match so this was something new.
“Today I did it in such a high-profile match for my family because my family have supported me 100 percent. I didn’t really feel the pressure, it helped that Equatorial Guinea missed two penalties.”
The Anderlecht defender heaped praise on coach Florent Ibenge. “We are a young team working with a local coach,” he said. “Not many local coaches get the chance in Africa but Florent Ibenge gave me and my team mates confidence.”
Despite playing out of position in central midfield, Mbemba has been one of the standout players at the tournament.
“I was here to do anything necessary for the team,” he said. “The coach is the teacher, he wants to use every student, every player. If he says play right, I’ll do it, play left, I’ll do it.
“That was the first Nations Cup I played in. Back in South Africa in 2013 I didn’t play, I was on the bench and then-coach Claude Le Roy said I was too young.
“I have shown at Anderlecht that I am very capable, everyone knows me there, but coach Ibenge has shown me what I can do, that I can flourish as a defensive midfielder.”