The Bafana Bafana of South Africa's Coach Hugo Broos has praised his team despite their loss to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the semi final of the African Cup of Nations on Wednesday, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The game had to be decided via penalty shoot out following the 1-1 result after 90 minutes and extra time at the Peace Stadium of Bouaké in Cote D'Ivoire.
Nigeria won 4-2 on penalties following 2 penalty saves by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to send the West Africans to the final at the expense of the South Africans.
Bross while speaking at the post match conference stated that the outcome of the encounter was hard to accept.
Football can be hard,” Broos said after the match.
“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.
Broos went ahead to express how proud he is with his team not just in the semi final, but in the tournament overall.
“I’m very, very proud of it. I’m proud of my players. The disappointment is this, but the proudness is that.
“What they performed, not only today, I think you have to be proud as a coach. Yes, it’s a defeat and you see you played a very bad game against Cape Verde and you win with penalties and today you play a very good game against Nigeria and you lose with penalties.
The Bafana Bafana of South Africa will now play DR Congo who also lost their semi final match against Cote D'Ivoire 1-0 for a third place in the 2023 AFCON.
Uche Dozie