Coach Morena Ramoreboli felt Bafana Bafana let themselves down with their decision-making in the final third against Zambia.
The host led at the break courtesy of Tshegofatso Mabasa's goal, but Chipolopolo were renewed right after resumption and struck twice to see off the South Africans.
Although, disappointment with the outcome – Ramoreboli was full of praise for his charges who gave a gallant effort right from the start of the tournament.
Read | Bafana's COSAFA Cup journey ended by Zambia
"I think we lost it in the second half in the first 15 minutes. We spoke about aggression in the final third and if you remember the goal we conceded in the second half- the first goal," Ramoreboli told SuperSport after game.
"It's more or less the same goal we conceded against Eswatini, but we failed to clear the ball and we conceded again from a set-play which really even the goalkeeper could not get where the ball was played.
"It's a game of football, disappointing results, very, very disappointing but I'm happy with the effort. I'm proud of what these guys did from the beginning of the tournament up until today. It's just unfortunate we could not go through to the finals."
Losing possession and not applying the correct distance to carry the out balls was a main factor that contributed to the loss. according to the coach.
"I think we lost too many balls especially in the final third and they ended up playing those tricks of delaying play obviously it kills the momentum. But I think honestly we got into the final…even first half for us to score we were not that clinical in the final third because we got a couple of chances in the final third but I don't think we were aggressive enough to break the lines," he added.
"Look, we have to go back. Check where we got it wrong but honestly speaking one of the biggest challenge was we could not break the lines today and I think maybe the difference between the passer and receiver was too big and that's why sometimes we could not connect with the second ball.
"But like I'm saying we did what we were suppose to do to prove that we wanted to win unfortunately it was not meant to be," Ramoreboli said.
You must be Sign In to read and post comments.
Click HERE to register!