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AFCON 2023: ‘We deserved final slot’ – South African coach laments missed chances

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AFCON 2023: ‘We deserved final slot’ – South African coach laments missed chances

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Head coach of the South African senior men’s national team, Hugo Broos says his team deserves to be at the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) ahead of Nigeria.

Bafana Bafana faltered 4-2 on penalties to the Super Eagles in the semi-final in Bouake on Monday and the Belgian coach was disappointed about not progressing to the final despite playing well.

“It’s a big disappointment for everyone because we feel that we played a very good game not only today but we played a very good AFCON,” said Broos in the press conference after the match.

“And I’m very, very proud of it. I’m proud of my players, the disappointment is this but the proudness is that. What they did, what they performed, not only today I think you have to be proud as a coach.

“So, yes it’s a defeat and you see you played a very bad game with Cape Verde and you won with penalties and today you played a very good game against Nigeria and you lost with penalties.

“That’s also football. But again I think we only have to think about the way we played this AFCON. And I know that everyone knows South Africa now as a good [ball] playing team, and that is the most important thing.”

With the result, the 1996 champions will focus on Saturday’s third-place match against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

author avatar
Oluwaseun Oyediji
Oluwaseun Babatunde Oyediji is a multi-media sports journalist with over 10 years experience in Information Communication Technology (ICT), women's football, and beach soccer reportage.The prolific writer is the Media Assistant to Nigeria Beach Soccer League and Africa Beach Soccer Union as well as contributor on Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) website.He has covered multiple national and international football tournaments including Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2020), CAF Women's Champions League (2023), and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).Since 2021, Oyediji has covered the NWFL Premiership especially the season ending Super Six Playoffs.A member of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun state chapter is also the image maker of the Remo Sports Development Council under the leadership of Chief Falilat Ogunkoya and David Osuolale.
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