Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 defeat to Mali in their AFCON Group E opener caused an uproar among South Africans

The game raised concerns about head coach Hugo Broos who shared his candid take on the game

Fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment over Bafana Bafana’s AFCON loss from the get-go

Bafana Bafana pays for missed opportunities in AFCON

Bafana Bafana suffered a 2-0 defeat to Mali in their AFCON Group E opener. The defeat places South Africa at the bottom of the group, necessitating a crucial win against Namibia.

The team had a promising start but things soon took a turn for the worst. Though most would attribute the loss to Percy Tau’s failed penalty. The major contributing factor was that Mali capitalised on the national team’s weaknesses.  

Hugo Broos acknowledges Mali’s strength

Broos highlighted two key factors for the loss the first is the missed penalty, and the second is Mali’s superior physical power. Though he appreciated the South African team’s efforts, he also took notice of Mali’s strength.

Broos raved about the opposition’s duels during the second half. Broos attributed Mali’s comeback to coach Éric Sékou’s strategic adjustments.

SA joke about Bafana Bafana AFCON performance

Hopes were high for the success of this game, it’s no wonder that fans are beside themselves with regret. Many took to Twitter, aka X, to share their thoughts, with one user pointing to a clumsy beginning as the start of the loss.

Another used a clip from the Kat Williams interview to express their sadness:

The international case between Israel and South Africa was not out of bounds for one user:

Though most were visibly distraught by the match, a few users still hold out hope:

The Bafana Bafana team took to X to show their appreciation for those still holding onto hope. They expressed appreciation and encouraged those who still have faith to keep the torch lit.