Fans react to heartbreaking Bafana Bafana defeat

BOUAKE - Bafana Bafana's fairytale journey at the African Cup of Nations has come to an end after losing 4-2 in a heartbreaking penalty shootout against Nigeria in the semi-final played in Bouake on Wednesday.

The South Africans will now play the loser of the Ivory Coast versus DR Congo semi-final in the third place play-off on Saturday night.

South Africans were on a knife's edge during the tense match but ultimately said the national team made them proud.

Wishing @BafanaBafana success in your #AFCON2023 semi-final against Nigeria in the Stadium of Peace in Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire, at 7PM.

The Final beckons. pic.twitter.com/oN8ijFcS2Z

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) February 7, 2024

Keep them running. Continue those short passes. My halftime message to @BafanaBafana 🇿🇦#AFCON2023 #BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/Mpl7mXJi47

— Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture (@zizikodwa) February 7, 2024

From 2-0 to 1-1 with 1 kick. It can only be Madiba magic 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

— Lesilo Rula 🇿🇦 (@kay_mahapa) February 7, 2024

POV: You thought Bafana Bafana would make us proud#AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/NlJqHi0FFP

— olwethu (@kemangolwethu) February 7, 2024

Bafana Bafana fans, don't celebrate before you score the penalty. #AFCON2023

— siya ronin (@siyaronin) February 7, 2024

88’ Teboho Mokoena scores his penalty!!!!!!

Score update: Nigeria 🇳🇬 1-1 🇿🇦 South Africa#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 #AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/QqPOg1AV2a

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) February 7, 2024

Bafana Bafana hit Nigeria with this pic.twitter.com/xGbOQjcjk2

— simmi (@simmiareff) February 7, 2024

Bafana Bafana hit Nigeria with this pic.twitter.com/xGbOQjcjk2

— simmi (@simmiareff) February 7, 2024

From 2-0 to 1-1 with 1 kick. It can only be Madiba magic 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

— Lesilo Rula 🇿🇦 (@kay_mahapa) February 7, 2024

We win together.
We lose together.
We fight together.
We are South Africa. 🇿🇦

We are proud of Bafana Bafana ❤️ pic.twitter.com/pzhjM0iT32

— * (@LiverpoolArena_) February 7, 2024

Well done to Nigeria 🇳🇬 for making it to the final of AFCON 2023

South Africa 🇿🇦
Thank you so much for your unwavering support for @BafanaBafana throughout this tournament. pic.twitter.com/t5HgNKhMar

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) February 7, 2024

The boys fought a good fight!!!! Well done Bafana Bafana‼️‼️‼️🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/sx7dJrPjB3

— Thando Thabethe (@Thando_Thabethe) February 7, 2024

Well done Bafana Bafana! What a tournament. We are proud!

🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

— DrMusa (@DrMusaMthombeni) February 7, 2024