Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has attributed the team’s opponent’s physique and missed penalty for the team’s loss.
This after the team lost 2-0 to Mali during their Group E opening match at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Korhogo, Ivory Coast.
Despite starting the match strong, Bafana Bafana failed to capitalise on the opportunities before they were handed a penalty in the 17th minute. However, captain Percy Tau failed to take advantage of the situation, and skied the ball over the post.
“We lost the game in two ways. First is missing the penalty, secondly is the physical power. Those reasons made us lose the game today. But the performance of South Africa was good, and I think if we scored the penalty, the game should have been different, but it’s okay,” said Broos during a post-match interview.
He highlighted that despite the loss, the team played well in the first half, there were good combinations among the players and that there was depth in our game. The Belgian however lamented the team’s lack of focus in some instances.
“We lost balls in places we didn’t have to lose. That made the second goal, and the game is finished. But again, I think the performance was good but not good enough,” explained Broos.
Bafana will next meet neighbours Namibia in a must win match on Sunday night.
“We have to win that game, I think. If we have a draw, it would be difficult to get through the group stages.So, we have to win that game,” stressed the coach.
The loss leaves Bafana at the bottom of the Group, while Mali climb to the top. Namibia, who stunned Tunisia 1-0 in an earlier match, is second.
