Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos says Mali’s physical strength was their biggest downfall and difference in the second half as they collapsed to a 2-0 defeat in their opening 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) game, played at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly stadium in Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire last night.
As one of the most experienced players in the team, Bafana Bafana vice-captain Percy Tau says the moment of missing a crucial penalty during last night’s 2-0 loss to Mali at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, still hurts.
Bafana Bafana conceded two second-half goals in the space of six minutes to lose 2-0 to Mali in their Africa Cup of Nations opening match.
Tunisia suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Namibia in their opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations held in Korhogo thanks to Orlando Pirates star Deon Hotto's heroics.
Morocco manager Walid Regragui has urged his team to focus on the Africa Cup of Nations and put their World Cup heroics behind them as their opening match of the continental showpiece with Tanzania looms.
Burkina Faso took control of Group D at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations when Bertrand Traore scored a 96th-minute winner to snatch all three points against minnows Mauritania.