Mzansi’s heartbreak as Bafana Bafana crash out of AFCON
This isn't the end, only the beginning...
South Africa’s football team, Bafana Bafana, have exited TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in the semi-finals after going down on penalties to Nigeria on Wednesday night.
The match was an incredibly tense affair with both teams having an equal number of shots on target. Bafana Bafana dominated the overall possession statistics of the game. The side looked fully in control for the first quarter of the game and had many threats on Nigeria's goal, but couldn’t convert any.
Read More: Bafana Bafana at AFCON: “Not luck, but hard work"
Eventually, the Super Eagles broke the deadlock in the 67th minute as William Troost-Ekong scored from the penalty spot. His side managed to hold onto a lead until Teboho Mokoena had a late spot-kick for Bafana Bafana in the 90th minute. This kept Bafana's hopes alive.
The moment that sealed Nigeria's place in the final 🇳🇬👇
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 7, 2024
📺 Stream #AFCON2023 live: https://t.co/TesYUfo62x #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/Qnyo6vfD31
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for a win to be realised and thereafter went to a penalty shoot out. South Africans would’ve been optimistic about our chances in the penalty shootout after Ronwen Williams’ incredible performance in the quarter-finals, but the same magic could not be captured on the evening.
Eventually, Bafana Bafana went down during the penalty shootout.
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This result is unbelievably disappointing for South African fans and has allowed for Nigeria to continue its historical dominance in African football. A result this close is just in the nature of sport.
We are still tremendously proud of our boys. This is just the start for Broos’ men, who will now set their sights on qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
You guys should be proud of yourself u played well and gave a good fight that is what heroes are kwn for well done❤️❤️❤️
— Joy Alufa (@alufa_joy) February 8, 2024
What Hugo Broos has done for Bafana Bafana can never be undone 👌🏾🙌🏾🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/FUC61uSPOm
— Vinny (@easy_v_) February 7, 2024
OMW! Why am I so emotional about @BafanaBafana at 03:22am in the morning??? 💀🥺🙃
— Nandipha Ndindwa (@Queen_Nandi) February 8, 2024
Wel gedan bras van mei...hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie, nog steeds. 🤝🏾🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦
Make we no lie, South Africa play us this first half. My heart nearly cut pic.twitter.com/TPScqNr5Nt
— Pius (@PiusGuru) February 8, 2024
Bafana Bafana Bow Out, But Nigeria Soars!
— Mfulohambayo (@mfulohambayo) February 8, 2024
Oh, football. You glorious, unpredictable, heart-wrenching rollercoaster of a game! Just when we thought the stars were aligning for our beloved Bafana Bafana, a plot twist worthy of a Nollywood thriller threw us a curveball. With the… pic.twitter.com/ugn3Db3mex
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