"It's a Big Disappointment": South Africa's Coach Shares Why He's Proud after Loss to Nigeria

• South Africa Coach Hugo Broos has hailed his team's performance in their African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final loss to Nigeria on Wednesday, February 7
• The Belgian tactician rated his team's performance above that of Nigeria, lamenting that it was a big disappointment
• Broos said his team created more chances and would have been in the final if those openings had been converted

Following their AFCON semi-final loss to the Super Eagles of Nigeria, South Africa's Coach Hugo Broos has shared his thoughts on the outcome of the match.

Broos felt his side played better and should have been in the final if they had converted the chances they created.

“...I think we were the best team in the first half, we got the best chances, Nigeria didn’t have any chance. Second half they have few chances which resulted in a goal and we changed something tactically, and we could comeback," Kick Off reported him as saying.

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Broos on why he is still proud

The Belgian tactician added that the outcome of the game was a big disappointment for them as they felt they did well. He was full of praise for the Bafana Bafana team and shared why he is still proud despite the defeat.

“It’s a big disappointment for everyone, we believe we played a very good game, not just today but throughout the tournament. I’m proud of my players, the disappointment is this but the proudness is that."

CAF Online reports that South Africa will face DR Congo in a third-place playoff on Saturday, February 10.

More juicy AFCON stories to note

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• Man with 6 accurate predictions names country to win AFCON cup

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Nigeria's AFCON final opponent confirmed

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Nigeria will face Ivory Coast in a final clash on Sunday, February 11.

The AFCON 2023 crucial fixture was confirmed after Côte d'Ivoire defeated DR Congo in the second semi-final match on Wednesday night, February 7.

While Nigeria dispatched South Africa through penalties, the host country, Ivory Coast, beat Congo one nil.

It will be the eighth final appearance by Nigeria, who were champions in 1980, 1994 and 2013, and the fourth by 1992 and 2015 title winners Ivory Coast.

Source: Legit.ng