Coach Hugo Broos congratulated Bafana Bafana despite Tuesday’s defeat to Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Percy Tau missed a penalty for South Africa in the first half before Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoko scored in the second to give Mali a 2-0 win.
“I have to congratulate my team for the performance of today,” said Broos.
“I think we lose the game in two facts – first is missing the penalty, secondly is the physical power, especially in the second half from Mali.
“Those reasons make us lose the game today but the performance of South Africa was good and I think if we scored the penalty the game should be different.”
In Tuesday’s other AFCON fixtures, Burkina Faso beat Mauritania 1-0 and Namibia beat Tunisia 1-0.
On Wednesday, Morocco will play Tanzania and Egypt will meet Ghana.
Egypt are the most successful team in the history of the tournament with seven titles. Senegal are the reigning champions.
