Johannesburg - Despite South Africa losing 5-3 in a penalty shootout to Zambia in a Cosafa Cup semi-final on Wednesday night, Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund said his side was the better of the two and deserved the win.
According to the Soccer-Laduma website, the game finished 0-0 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium after 120 minutes of action, but Igesund felt Zambia were lucky to get away with the penalty shootout win.
“Congratulations to Zambia, they won it in a penalty shootout, but you know it is not always the best team that wins it on the night,” said Igesund.
“I thought we were better tonight, I thought we dominated the game especially in the second half, we hit the post twice, but at the end of the day it was a good run out and I saw a lot of good things from my guys.
“Obviously I am disappointed for the players because it would have been nice to be in the final, I think we deserve to be there, but as I said, well done to Zambia and I wish them good luck.”
Asked whether he thought the home nation's backing gave them an advantage Igesund said his side were not affected.
“I don’t think the crowd affected us. You saw the way we played; we moved the ball around, especially in the second half. The first half I didn’t think we played that well, but the second half I thought we played really well and took the game to them,” added the Bafanan coach.
“I think we were very unfortunate not to have won the game in regular time.”
In conclusion, Igesund said he was very happy with his team’s performance, but admitted their finishing could improve.
“There is always room for improvement, this is only the second game this team has played together and they will come on in leaps and bounds,” said Igesund.
“I was very happy with our defence, I think defensively we were very, very strong. I though in the midfield we dominated but I do think we could have done a little better upfront.”
Cosafa Cup semi-final results at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Wednesday:
Zimbabwe 2 (Ndoro 15, 25) Lesotho 1 (Mofolo 4)
Zambia 0 South Africa 0 aet
Zambia win 5-3 on penalties
Upcoming fixtures on July 20:(all times CAT):
Third place play-off:
Lesotho v South Africa (13:00)
Final:
Zambia v Zimbabwe (15:30)
According to the Soccer-Laduma website, the game finished 0-0 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium after 120 minutes of action, but Igesund felt Zambia were lucky to get away with the penalty shootout win.
“Congratulations to Zambia, they won it in a penalty shootout, but you know it is not always the best team that wins it on the night,” said Igesund.
“I thought we were better tonight, I thought we dominated the game especially in the second half, we hit the post twice, but at the end of the day it was a good run out and I saw a lot of good things from my guys.
“Obviously I am disappointed for the players because it would have been nice to be in the final, I think we deserve to be there, but as I said, well done to Zambia and I wish them good luck.”
Asked whether he thought the home nation's backing gave them an advantage Igesund said his side were not affected.
“I don’t think the crowd affected us. You saw the way we played; we moved the ball around, especially in the second half. The first half I didn’t think we played that well, but the second half I thought we played really well and took the game to them,” added the Bafanan coach.
“I think we were very unfortunate not to have won the game in regular time.”
In conclusion, Igesund said he was very happy with his team’s performance, but admitted their finishing could improve.
“There is always room for improvement, this is only the second game this team has played together and they will come on in leaps and bounds,” said Igesund.
“I was very happy with our defence, I think defensively we were very, very strong. I though in the midfield we dominated but I do think we could have done a little better upfront.”
Cosafa Cup semi-final results at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Wednesday:
Zimbabwe 2 (Ndoro 15, 25) Lesotho 1 (Mofolo 4)
Zambia 0 South Africa 0 aet
Zambia win 5-3 on penalties
Upcoming fixtures on July 20:(all times CAT):
Third place play-off:
Lesotho v South Africa (13:00)
Final:
Zambia v Zimbabwe (15:30)