Bafana Bafana right-back Thabang Matuludi says it was difficult to accept his side’s result against Egypt in Group B at the on-going AFCON in Morocco.
Bafana lost 1-0 to the North Africans at Stade De Agadir, in a game that was overshadowed by contentious decisions by the match officials on Friday evening.
Egypt scored their all-important goal from the penalty spot, courtesy of Mohamed Salah to qualify for the knockout stage with a game to spare, while South Africa is second with three points in two encounters.
Meanwhile, there was a heated moment involving Egypt’s Yassir Ibrahim who appeared to have handled the ball in his own box, but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ruled against the decision to award Bafana a spot-kick late on in the game.
“It’s very difficult to accept the result because we expected to win today’s game or at least get a draw and to not lose,” said Matuludi.
“It is difficult to accept it, but we do not have a choice but to accept and focus on the next game. It was difficult because of how we lost because if you checked the game and, in my opinion, it was 50/50.
“We conceded a goal three minutes before half-time which would have been better to have gone into half-time at 0-0 and plan afresh for the second half.
“I won’t comment on that one [VAR] because I really don’t know what to say because the referee’s decision is final, but I felt that we should have also gotten a penalty.
“We have to motivate each other for the next game because it’s not over, that game can help us to qualify.”
Despite not featuring yet, Matuludi admitted he is happy to be part of Hugo Broos’ squad.
“I’m happy to be part of this team, I’m learning a lot,” he added.
“Monday’s game is a must win for the team to qualify.”
Bafana now need to win their last group encounter against Zimbabwe to progress to the second round of the tournament.
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