Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-08 10:38:17
South Africa’s manager, Hugo Broos, expressed his belief that his team outperformed Nigeria and deserved to win the semi-final clash at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON). Despite their strong performance, the South African team faced a disappointing loss to Nigeria in a pulsating penalty shootout, with the Super Eagles advancing to the final for the first time since 2013.
Broos acknowledged the challenges of football, especially when a team delivers a strong performance but ultimately falls short in the penalty shootout. He emphasized his team’s excellent performance and expressed his frustration at the outcome. The match ended in a 1-1 draw after regulation and extra time, with Nigeria securing a 4-2 victory on penalties. William Troost-Ekong scored the first goal for Nigeria from the penalty spot in the 67th minute, while Teboho Mokoena equalized for South Africa in the 90th minute.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Broos remained proud of his team’s performance throughout the tournament, expressing disappointment in not reaching the final. He highlighted South Africa’s strong chances and the tactical changes that allowed them to fight back. The team had an opportunity to secure a win in stoppage time, but Khuliso Mudau missed a crucial chance, leading to Nigeria’s victory.
Broos emphasized South Africa’s strong performance, stating that they were the better team in the first half and created more chances. He reiterated his pride in the players and their overall performance in the tournament, despite the disappointment of falling short in the semi-final.
Following their defeat, South Africa will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the third-place playoff, while Nigeria will compete against Cote d’Ivoire in the final. Despite the setback, Broos and his team remain focused on finishing the tournament on a positive note and possibly securing a podium finish.
In conclusion, despite South Africa’s strong performance and belief in their deserving victory, the team faced a heartbreaking loss to Nigeria in the AFCON semi-final. Broos emphasized the team’s excellent performance and strong chances throughout the tournament, expressing pride in the players despite the disappointment of not reaching the final. With the third-place playoff ahead, South Africa aims to salvage a positive end to their AFCON campaign.
