DR Congo defender Gabriel Zakuani would rather concede the African Nations Cup third-place play-off to Equatorial Guinea than risk a repeat of the crowd trouble that marred the semi-final involving the host nation.
Around 36 Ghana fans were reportedly hurt, with 14 being taken to hospital, after coming under attack from home supporters towards the end of Thursday's last-four clash between the Black Stars and Equatorial Guinea in Malabo.
The match, which Ghana won 3-0, was suspended for around half-an-hour as visiting supporters were forced to leave the stands and take refuge on the pitch behind one of the goals after being bombarded with objects from rival fans.
On Friday, the Equatorial Guinea football federation were fined 100,000 US dollars, ordered to pay for the treatment of Ghana supporters who were injured and handed a one-match suspended ground closure by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The ground closure will only be enforced should there be further trouble during Saturday's third-place play-off match, which also takes place at the Malabo stadium.
However, Zakuani admits he would rather not play the match if there is any chance of further trouble.
Referring to a photo of a broken mirror, a broken plate and a rock that were said to have been picked up off the pitch following Thursday's semi-final, Peterborough defender Zakuani tweeted: " If they're throwing this at players,Eq Guinea, you can have 3rd place,I love football but prefer to live. #AFCON2015"
DR Congo were consigned to the third-place play-off after going down 3-1 to Ivory Coast in their semi-final.
The Leopards had not reached the last four of the tournament since 1998, when they finished third after beating Burkina Faso on penalties in the play-off after a dramatic 4-4 draw in normal time.
Equatorial Guinea, meanwhile, are already further than they ever been before having reached the quarter-finals in their only previous participation in the African Nations Cup in 2012.
Coach Esteban Becker is now hoping to go out with a win in their final match of this year's tournament, after conceding they deserved to lose to Ghana in the last four.
Becker, quoted by Equatorial Guinea's Press and Information Office, said after the semi-final defeat : " Ghana were superior, but I am proud of my players and of what Equatorial Guinea have done in reaching the semi-finals.
"No-one believed that we would reach this point. Now we have one more match and between third and fourth place, I prefer to be third."
Source: PA
