AFCON 2023: Broos struggles to accept South Africa’s semi-final defeat to Nigeria.

Hugo Broos, the manager of South Africa, believes it is hard to accept that Bafana Bafana lost to Nigeria in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal.

The Super Eagles were under pressure at times from the 1996 AFCON champions, but they were unable to capitalise as the match finished 1-1 in both regular and extra time, with Grant Kekana being sent off in the latter.

In the shootout that decided the match, Stanley Nwabali of Nigeria saved two penalties from South Africa, which made Broos regret his team's wasted opportunities.

Football can be difficult at times, as demonstrated by my team's play. When penalties are called against you and you lose, it can be difficult to accept that you won't be playing in the championship, Broos said.

"I believe that we were the better team in the first half; Nigeria had no opportunity and we had the greatest opportunities. They had a few chances in the second half that ended in a goal, but we made a tactical adjustment that allowed us to rally.

"We created more opportunities, so instead of Nigeria, we would have advanced to the final if we had scored."