Bafana squad ready for the clash
By Kopano Dibakwane
Bafana Bafana was unceremoniously knocked out of the AFCON semi-finals following a 4-2 loss to Nigeria in a penalty shootout on the evening of Wednesday 7 February.
The South African team employed a defensive approach in the first 45 minutes of the game as Nigeria showed dominance. Bafana Bafana had their fair chances to take the lead but their hopes were dashed when the Egyptian referee, Amir Omar, awarded a penalty in favour of Nigeria following a bad tackle by Mthobi Mvala against Victor Osimhen in the 60th minute of the second half.
Ronwen Williams failed to save the penalty taken by William Troost-Ekong and Nigeria were 1 goal ahead of Bafana Bafana. Osimhen increased the score for Nigeria in the 85 minute, but the goal was disallowed following the referee’s consultation with the VAR.
Thapelo Mokoena kept Bafana Bafana’s hopes alive when he equalised from the penalty spot in the 90th minute. The game ended on a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes. No goals were scored during extra time and the game had to be settled in a penalty shootout.
Nigeria scored 4 goals and missed 1, while South Africa scored 3 goals and missed 2.
Bafana Bafana Head Coach, Hugo Broos, was very dejected during the post-match interview.
“ I’m proud of my players, It’s a defeat. We beat Cape Verde playing bad, we lost to Nigeria playing good. That’s football,” said Broos.
Bafana Bafana will face Democratic Republic of Congo in the third-place playoffs on Saturday 10 February, while Nigeria will face host country Cote D’Ivoire in the finals.
