Ronwen Williams: There is a lot of pain following AFCON exit

South Africa were eliminated by Nigeria on penalties in their semi-final tie after the match had ended 1-1 after extra-time.

They were not expected to make it to the last four as they faced a last 16 clash against tournament favourites Morocco, but they emerged with a 2-0 win before seeing off Cape Verde in the quarter-finals, on penalties.

Williams' side were agonisingly close to a final against competition hosts Ivory Coast but it wasn't to be and will now play for third place against the DR Congo on Sunday.

The goalkeepersaid in the Citizen: "Obviously we are still devastated, there is a lot of pain.

"But I am so immensely proud of the boys, day in and day out we showed our resilience and our brotherhood. 

Williams added that he felt his team had done enough to secure a final place. He explained: "I think this team deserved to be in the final just for the brotherhood we showed, and the hard work we put in over the last five weeks. (But) as much as I am feeling sad, I am so proud of every member of this squad."

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