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Cape Town - Following their African Nations Championship (CHAN) exit, Bafana Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund says his charges will soldier on from the defeat by Nigeria as their focus now shifts to the 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Needing only a draw against Nigeria, Bafana lost 3-1 to the Super Eagles in their final Group A encounter at Cape Town Stadium on Sunday night.
Bernard Parker scored South Africa’s consolation goal in the 78th minute but Steven Keshi’s troops held on for a two-goal win courtesy of Ejike Uzoenyi’s brace and a Ifeanyi Ede strike.
“I am very disappointed that we had to exit the tournament at this stage but Nigeria deserved their victory,” Igesund told SAFA’s official website.
“They were physically stronger, they were hard running and fully capitalised on our mistakes. There are no excuses. We lost to a better side. The players gave everything they had but Nigeria defended very well.
“Their first two goals should have been better dealt with by my players. We have to soldier on as we had picked the best available team for this tournament but luck was not on our side.
“The last 20 minutes we had them on the back foot but missed several chances that could have kept us in the match. At the end of the day we have to look at ourselves and admit we were just not good enough even though we gave it our best shot.”
Mali defeated Mozambique 2-1 in the other Group A clash played at the Athlone Stadium to signal the end of the road for the host nation.
Igesund’s next mandate is to qualify for next year’s continental showpiece to be staged in Morocco.
Needing only a draw against Nigeria, Bafana lost 3-1 to the Super Eagles in their final Group A encounter at Cape Town Stadium on Sunday night.
Bernard Parker scored South Africa’s consolation goal in the 78th minute but Steven Keshi’s troops held on for a two-goal win courtesy of Ejike Uzoenyi’s brace and a Ifeanyi Ede strike.
“I am very disappointed that we had to exit the tournament at this stage but Nigeria deserved their victory,” Igesund told SAFA’s official website.
“They were physically stronger, they were hard running and fully capitalised on our mistakes. There are no excuses. We lost to a better side. The players gave everything they had but Nigeria defended very well.
“Their first two goals should have been better dealt with by my players. We have to soldier on as we had picked the best available team for this tournament but luck was not on our side.
“The last 20 minutes we had them on the back foot but missed several chances that could have kept us in the match. At the end of the day we have to look at ourselves and admit we were just not good enough even though we gave it our best shot.”
Mali defeated Mozambique 2-1 in the other Group A clash played at the Athlone Stadium to signal the end of the road for the host nation.
Igesund’s next mandate is to qualify for next year’s continental showpiece to be staged in Morocco.
