Coach of South Africa, Stuart Baxter has expressed disappointment to miss out of the semi-final of the ongoing African Cup of Nations, following their 1-2 loss to Nigeria on Wednesday.
The Bafana Bafana who defeated the hosts, drew level in the 79th minutes against the Nigerians, but only to conceed from a corner scored by William Troost Ekong in the 89th minutes.
However, Baxter said the results left a bitter taste in his mouth, but tipped the Nigerian team to go all the way.
“It’s always sad when you lose a game in the last minute. In the firsthalf we were not brave enough but in the second we were muchbetter. We still couldn’t find that last touch.
“Nigeria is very dangerous and have some very good players. We tried to win but we lost in the dying minutes. Congratulations toNigeria coach and team and I’m sure they are going to do great job.”Baxter disclosed to the press.
South Africa has now failed in their bid to win the competition once again since 1996.
Bafana Bafana star Bongani Zungu has lamented his side defeat to Nigeria in the quarter final of the ongoing African Cup of Nations at the Cairo international stadium, Wednesday evening.
South Africa came into the game against the three time African champions in full confidence after their shock win over Egypt in the round of 16.
However, after drawing level late in the second half through aBongani Zungu‘s header, Nigeria responded with their second goal with a minute left in the regulation time to claimed the semi-final tickets at stake.
Nonetheless, Zungu believed, his side lost concentrations at the crucial time.
“First of all, a very disappointing result for us,” Zungu told the media.
“First half we gave them a lot of respect. Second half, the coach told us to press them high and I think we did quite good and we were moving the ball well.
“I felt like we were going to score, and when we scored the goal we were in the game, but unfortunately, we lost concentration in the end.
“It’s very disappointing, we are sad, but I am very proud of the team. We fought hard, we didn’t start the tournament good, but we should have won this one. But it’s part of the game.
Although, the Bafana Bafana struggled all night to test Nigerian South African based goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, Zungu claimed their game plan worked perfectly , but were let down by little details.
“We had a good game plan, but I feel in the first half we gave them a lot of respect, we had to press them high, so their centre backs do not play the diagonal ball to Musa and the other winger, but as I said in the second half we did well,” he explained.
“We got back to the game, we moved the ball well. We closed them down, we put them under pressure, but we just lost concentration. I think that’s where the game was [decided]. We have to now go back to the drawing board. It’s very disappointing.” He concluded.
Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr is delighted that his team are through to the last four of the African Cup of Nations after beating Bafana Bafana of South Africa 2-1 in the quarter-final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) played at Cairo international stadium on Wednesday.
The three time champions scored the winner with a minute left through William Troost Ekong, after Zungu had cancelled out Samuel Chuckwueze‘s first half opener in the highly tactical game.
Speaking after another important victory over the Stuart Baxter led South Africans, Rohr said Nigeria was lucky to squeeze past the mobile South Africans.
“It was a great match. South Africa is a very good team, they had a very good game against Egypt but it’s too difficult to do this two times in a row. We were lucky to score in the last minute, but yet we were mentally strong to do this.
“I salute South Africa for having a great team. What was the best today is the great spirit between both teams. Our next game is going to be more difficult, but we will be ready.” Rohr said.
Following the latest win, Nigeria will now play the winner between Algeria and Ivory Coast in the semi-final.
Nigerian defender William Troost Ekong has dedicated the winninggoal he scored against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Cairo international stadium in Egypt to his son.
Ekong scored the winner in the final minute of the game, to help Nigeria to the semi-final of the African Cup of Nations, after Bongani Zungu had cancelled out Samuel Chukwueze’s first-half strike.
Troost-Ekong who battled all night against South African striker Mothiba, got to the end of Moses Simon’s corner and stab the ball into an empty net.
The goal was his second international goal and he decided todedicate it to his first child Oscar.
“I am happy for Troost-Ekong, he dedicates his goal to his son Oscar and we are all happy for him,” a delighted coach Gernot Rohr told media.
Victory over Stuart Baxter’s men mean Nigeria continue their quest for fourth African Cup of Nations title, Rohr’s men will now face either Cote d’Ivoire or Algeria in the semi-final on Sunday.
Super Eagles winger, Samuel Chukwueze says he is delighted to be named the Man of the Match in Nigeria‘s 2-1 win over South Africa at the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Egypt.
