Ivory Coast staged a remarkable turnaround as they defied the odds and a numerical disadvantage to clinch a 2-1 victory over Mali in the AFCON quarter-finals.
Mali are through to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after a nail-biting 2-1 win over Burkina Faso on Tuesday in Korhogo.
Namibia secured their maiden qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 with a goalless draw against Mali.
With Bafana Bafana aiming to redeem themselves after the disappointment of losing the opening game against Mali, centre-back Siyanda Xulu is still confident about the chances of progressing to the second round.
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.