SOUTH AFRICA coach Molefi Ntseki said he could not
fault his players after they were held to a 0-0 by Niger in a dramatic Group C
match played at the Mandela National Stadium on Friday night.
The game might have ended goalless but there was
certainly no shortage of drama and intrigue in a match that saw two VAR penalty
reviews go against South Africa. Referee Bouchra Karboubi also issued four
yellow cards to South Africa during the match, a development that will not have
pleased Ntseki.
The South Africa coach maintained that his players
gave their all against a team that he said had nothing to lose.
“I think that South Africa did their best in trying to
win this game. But it was not meant to be, and we move forward,” he said.
The Uganda supporters came in numbers to support Niger
and when Karboubi signalled the final whistle, they celebrated the outcome as
it means that the hosts remain at the top of the standings with one more game
to play.
After Friday’s matches, Uganda remains top of Group C
with six points while second-placed Algeria and third-placed South Africa
retain their places on five points each.
Group C remains wide open and will be decided on
Monday, 18 August 2025 when South Africa battles Uganda, and Algeria tackles
Niger in the final matches of the group.