Coach Molefi Ntseki hails Bafana despite CHAN exit

Bafana Bafana’s CAF African Nations Cup (CHAN) coach, Molefi Ntseki, has hailed and described his team as one of the best troops despite their sad exit from the competition.

Ntseki was speaking after Bafana dished out their best performance, especially in their last group match against Uganda. The game saw them bounce from 1-0 to score three goals until the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decoded their fate, thus allowing the competition’s co-hosts to level matters to a 3-all draw via two awarded penalties.

“I can’t comment much about the outcome of this match. The VAR is giving an advantage to some and a disadvantage to others, and in this case, we were not the lucky ones.

“Our boys did everything possible to win this match with the hope of qualifying for the quarterfinals, but it was not meant to be,” said the dejected Ntseki.

A must-win that fell through 

Before last night’s match, Bafana were lying third in Group C with five points, the same number of points as Algeria, who were in the second spot by a better goal difference, and they needed nothing but a win against Uganda to move to the top position, a move that could have earned them a place in the quarterfinal stage.

Ntseki also blamed the VAR and poor refereeing during the team’s goalless draw against Niger on Friday.

“There was certainly no shortage of drama and intrigue in a match that saw two VAR penalty reviews go against South Africa.”

“Referee Bouchra Karboubi also issued four yellow cards to our players during the match, a development that will not have pleased us,” said Ntseki after their match against Niger.

On a day of high drama, Uganda was the first to open the scoreboard in this six-goal thriller when Jude Ssemugabi netted home in the 32nd minute, much to the delight of the 34,000-strong crowd at the Mandela National Stadium in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.

But South Africa clawed their way back and equalised through Ramahlwe Mphahlele in the 52nd minute. The equaliser was not without theatrics, as referee Vincent Kabore needed the assistance of VAR before he could confirm the goal. Thabiso Kutumela made it 2-1 six minutes later before Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo could score the third goal that seemed to have guaranteed Bafana’s place in the quarterfinals.

Ndlondlo’s goal saw a large score of the Cranes supporters leaving the stadium, unaware that their idols were not done with Bafana. The home side went on to score two late penalties which came in quick succession from Allan Okello (88th minute) and Rogers Torach (96th minute), sending the South Africans back to the third position.

Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video content

Latest News