Ntseki proud despite Bafana Bafana’s heartbreaking CHAN exit

Bafana Bafana’s dream run at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) came to a crushing end on Monday night after a dramatic 3-3 draw with Uganda at the Mandela National Stadium.

Goals from Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Thabiso Kutumela and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo looked to have secured a famous victory, but two late penalties for the Cranes shattered South Africa’s hopes and confirmed their elimination from the tournament.

The mood in the changeroom after the final whistle was one of stunned silence. 

Players, technical staff and officials were left devastated as they tried to digest the result that ended their journey in East Africa.

Coach Molefi Ntseki, however, chose to highlight the positives and lauded the spirit of his players.

“They showed their commitment and understood that they were playing for their country. In the game of football, like I said, there are three results (win, draw and defeat). Unfortunately, we got the result that we did not want (draw). We wanted to win, but things did not happen for us,” Ntseki said.

“As for the future, I think the country is very proud of their performances and we brought the best players that played very well in this tournament. I can’t fault any of them in terms of performance and commitment. As a coach and as a member of the team that came to represent South Africa here, we are very proud of them.”

South Africa’s elimination will sting, particularly after they overcame the odds to reach this stage. 

Ntseki’s charges worked tirelessly to fly the flag in a competition being staged across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. 

A group made up of a lot of players written off on the domestic front and are fee agents showed immense quality at times with the likes of Kutumela and Ndlondlo shining brightly. 

It was a campaign that defied expectations, built on grit, determination and a collective belief that they could compete with the continent’s best.

Safa president Dr Danny Jordaan also offered words of encouragement, praising the squad’s efforts and urging them to take pride in their performances.

“He was very proud of the way the players represented the country and their families,” Safa confirmed. “They should hold their heads high after giving their all on the pitch.”

For Bafana, it may be the end of the road at CHAN 2025, but their fight and resilience have left a lasting impression. Ntseki’s men may bow out, but not without having earned respect and admiration along the way.