South Africa Coach Hugo Broos expresses disappointment over AFCON semi-final loss to Nigeria

Head coach of South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana, Hugo Broos has expressed his disappointment at not guiding his side to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.

Despite a strong performance, South Africa suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Nigeria in the semi-final, losing 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time.

Broos felt that his team had done enough to secure a spot in the final, emphasizing their dominance in the first half and the chances they created throughout the match.

“Football can be hard,” Broos lamented after the game. “When you see the performance of my team today and then there is penalties and you lose the game, you’re not in the final, it’s hard to accept that, because we played a very good game today.”

He acknowledged Nigeria’s resilience but believed that South Africa had the upper hand for much of the match, especially in the first half.

Broos expressed pride in his players and their overall performance throughout the tournament, despite falling short of reaching the final. He highlighted the disappointment of the loss but also emphasized the pride he felt in the team’s achievements.

Despite missing out on the final, South Africa will have a chance to secure third place in the tournament when they face DR Congo in the third-place match on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Nigeria will contest the AFCON final against hosts Cote d’Ivoire, aiming to clinch their first title since 2013 in what promises to be an exciting encounter.