AFCON 2023: ‘We had three big chances’ – Hugo Broos rues squandered Bafana Bafana opportunities

Head coach Hugo Broos rued his side’s inability to convert their goalscoring opportunities as Bafana Bafana suffered a penalty-shootout defeat to Nigeria in an AFCON semi-final clash at the Peace Stadium on Wednesday.

After ending 1-1 in regulation time, Nigeria advanced after winning 4-2 on penalties as Teboho Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa saw their spot-kicks saved.

Broos highlighted three massive chances his side had in the dying minutes especially with defender Khuliso Mudau skying his effort over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy in the 96th minute.

“Two minutes before the end of regulation time we had three chances,” Broos said post-match.

“Three big chances, so we could have killed Nigeria there. We didn’t do it, and that’s a pity.

“We didn’t do it, and then we advanced to penalties where it becomes a lottery. We won four days ago, and then we lost it today.

A dejected Broos insisted he remained proud of his Bafana side who exceeded South African expectations.

“Football can be hard,” Broos added.

“When you see the performance of my team who I believe played a very good game today.

“I think we were the better team in the first half. We had the best chances whereas Nigeria had no chances, not one, nothing.

“In the second half, okay, they had a few chances and they scored. We then changed a few things tactically and were able to get back into the game.

“The two minutes before the end of the 90 minutes we had huge chances. If we could score that it would be us that would be through to the final and not Nigeria.

“That can happen in football and it’s a big disappointment for everyone.

“We feel that we not only played a very good game but had a good AFCON.

“I’m proud of my players and how they performed, not only today, and you have to be proud.”

South Africa will next face DR Congo in a third-place playoff at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 22:00.