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AFCON: Semi-finals loss to Nigeria, hard to accept, says S’Africa coach
In their semi-final match against Nigeria on Wednesday, South Africa lost 2-4 on penalty kicks, but Hugo Broos, their head coach, believes his team performed better.
In order to force extra time in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match, Bafana Bafana overcame a goal deficit.
In response to their loss, Broos stated that his team performed better and deserved to win the match in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday.
"As evidenced by my team's performance on Wednesday and the penalty kicks that followed, football can be difficult at times. You are eliminated from the championship round after losing the penalty shootout.
We had a great game today, so it's difficult to accept that. "In the second half, they had few chances which resulted in a goal and we changed something tactically and we came back," he said. "I think we were the best team in the first half, we got the best chances, Nigeria didn't have any chance."
He maintained that his team had more opportunities and that Nigeria would not have advanced to the final if they had scored.
Nonetheless, the Belgian praised his team for an excellent tournament.
"We feel we played a very good game not just today but throughout the tournament, so it's a huge disappointment for everyone."
"I'm pleased with my players. The disappointment is in not being in the final, but the pride is in having performed well,” he said.
South Africa will now face DR Congo in the third-place playoff on Saturday.