AFCON 2023: South Africa's Hugo Bruce talks about defeat against Nigeria
South Africa coach Hugo Bruce believes his team played much better than Nigeria and deserved to win Wednesday's 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final match.
The Super Eagles fought through a fierce penalty shootout to reach the AFCON final for the first time since winning the trophy in 2013.
“Soccer can be difficult sometimes. When you look at the team's performance today, we had a penalty and then we lost on penalties and didn't make it to the final. It's hard to accept that because we played a very good game today. Because we do,” Bruce said.
Nigeria were tied 1-1 after regulation and overtime, but Kelechi Iheanacho converted the crucial penalty kick and won the shootout 4-2, sending three-time champions Nigeria to Sunday's final against Ivory Coast. I sent it to.
Nigeria opened the scoring in the 67th minute with captain William Troost-Ekong from the penalty spot after Mosobi Mbala brought down Napoli forward Victor Osimhen inside the 18-yard area.
Teboho Mokoena then equalized South Africa at 1-1 with a penalty kick late in the 90th minute. Mokoena was given a chance in the 63rd minute when Alhassan Yusuf, who replaced Alex Iwobi, was adjudged by VAR to have fouled Percy Tau.
South Africa's Bafana Bafana could have won the game with just seconds left in stoppage time, but Chryso Mdau converted the rebound after Stanley Nwabali deflected a shot.
Reacting to the loss between South Africa and Nigeria, Coach Bruce told CAF Media that his team played much better and deserved to win the match.
“I think we were the best team in the first half. We had the best chances, but Nigeria didn't have any chances. In the second half, they had very few chances that led to goals, so we played tactically. was able to change something and reverse it.
“We created more chances, which means if we had scored we would have gone to the final and not Nigeria. It's a big disappointment for everyone.
“I believe we played a very good game, not only today but throughout the tournament. I'm proud of the players, but it's disappointing that we didn't make it to the final.”
South Africa will face the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the third-place play-off on Saturday, February 10, while Nigeria will face Ivory Coast in the final on Sunday.
Source: guardian.ng