Africa Cup of Nations 2013: Igesund relieved as hosts edge into last eight
Africa Cup of Nations 2013: Hosts South Africa progress top from Group A after an unconvincing draw against Morocco
Gordon Igesund praised South Africa’s resolve after a dramatic draw with Morocco ensured their quarter-final passage in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Goals from Issam El Adoua and Abdelilah Hafidi for Morocco were cancelled out by strikes from May Mahlangu and Siyabonga Sangweni for Bafana Bafana.
Despite the unconvincing performance, Igesund is pleased with how the team have dealt with the pressures of being the host nation and he is looking forward to the knock-out stages after winning Group A.
“It’s a great occasion now for the team, for myself and especially for the South African people,” said Igesund.
“It was very important for us to qualify (for the second round), hosting this tournament, and I think we’ve made the country proud.
“I wasn’t happy in the first half, because the first goal they scored was a free header, which shouldn’t happen at this level.
“We got a beautiful goal to come back, and then once we were level we went back into defence and they scored their second goal. We had to dig really deep for the result today.”
South Africa will now face the runners-up in Group B in the quarter-finals, while minnows Cape Verde will play the winners of that group after defeating Angola.
