Bafana Bafana are out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) after a heartbreaking 4-2 defeat by Nigeria via penalty shootouts.

Nigeria were handed a penalty in the 67th minute after Mvala knocked Osimhen down with an over-the-top tackle inside the box. The nation’s captain William Troost-Ekong stepped up, rattled the back of the net to put his side ahead. Broos reacted and made some changes, which saw Themba Zwane and Xulu make way for the attacking duo of Mihlali Mayambela and Zakhele Lepasa.

Super Eagles found the back of the net in stoppage time through an Osimhem tap-in. However, their celebrations were cut short when the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) came to the rescue of the South Africans and ruled the goal out for a foul on Tau inside the box on the other end.

This resulted in a penalty in favour of South Africa and Teboho Mokoena brought Bafana back into the game, beating Nwabali from the spot. Bafana had a glorious chance to seal it in additional time but Mudau skied the ball over the bar. In the second 15 minutes, Grant Kekana received marching orders after he kicked Terem Moriffi as the last man on the edge of the box.

Bafana Bafana will now play DR Congo in the third-place playoff on Saturday.

image by Issouf SANOGO / AFP

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