Hugo Broos bemoans missed chances after Bafana AFCON exit | OneFootball

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Broos laments missed opportunites

Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackPagePix

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos feels his team squandered ample clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities to beat Cameroon as they were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.

South Africa fell to goals from Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane in either half, while substitute Evidence Makgopa scored a consolation goal in the 88th minute for a Round of 16 exit.

Reflecting on the result, Broos says his charges executed the game plan to perfection in the opening exchanges but admits a lack of cutting edge in the final third was ultimately their downfall.

“Everyone is very disappointed and sad that we are eliminated today [Sunday]. I think we had the right plan and everyone saw that in the first half. We had three open chances in the first half and hour, normally the game has to be done then,” he said.

"But when you miss those chances in that level, we pay the bill later and we paid the bill with a lucky goal - a corner, we head it out of the 16 [area], the guy shoots, the ball touches the leg and comes again in the feet of a Cameroon player and he can score.

"I think that was the first half, so normally Cameroon would never lead at that moment. In the second half we tried to maintain our momentum because Cameroon didn't have an answer about the way we played, but unfortunately very soon in the second half we get the second goal.

The Belgian mentor went on to highlight that the Indomitable Lions adopted a low-block approach in the wake of doubling their lead, which made it difficult for Bafana to create chances.

“And then you know it will be very difficult because from that moment Cameroon stayed very well as a block in their own 16 and kicked the ball in front and they had some very quick players which tried to be dangerous,” Broos added.

"We still had chances in the second half. We scored a little bit late, there was not enough time because otherwise I think we could have maybe played a draw and have extra time. As I said before the game, this team of Cameroon plays with a big heart, fighting spirit and are physically very strong, that it was a tough opponent and I thought we saw that today.

"My players did what they have to do in 90 minutes, they fought for it but that can happen and again I'm disappointed for all of us.