Following Bafana Bafana’s disappointing start to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Ivory Coast where they were beaten 2-0 by Mali on Tuesday evening, coach Hugo Broos believes things would have been different had Percy Tau converted a penalty in the first half.
The Al Ahly forward missed from the penalty spot in the 19th minute after Bafana were awarded a spot kick following Sikou Niakate’s elbowing of Evidence Makgopa. The score was goalless at the time.
“I think we lose the game in two facts, first is missing the penalty. Secondly, is the physical power, especially in the second half of Mali. Those reasons make us lose the game, but the performance of South Africa was good and I think if we scored the penalty the game should be different,” Broos said.
“There are three guys, three penalty takers for the game, it was Aubrey (Modiba), (Teboho) Mokoena and Percy. And they decide on the pitch. It’s not up to me, the one who feels best has to take the penalty. I think Tau took this responsibility and we can’t blame him for that, certainly not because taking a penalty is not easy. But it changed the game.”
Meanwhile, Bafana’s next match is against their neighbours Namibia on Sunday evening. The Brave Warriors of Namibia stunned Tunisia 1-0 courtesy of a Deon Hotto goal on Tuesday evening.
