South Africa U17 MNT coach, Duncan Crowie expressed his admiration for his players’ performance in the group B match against Nigeria at the U17 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria came from behind twice to win the game, 3-2, but Crowie praised the team’s tenacity and spirit.

Amajimbos eventually did qualify for the round of eight as the best third-place team, but had to learn their fate from the result of the match between Cameroon and Burkina Faso.

“I told them in the dressing room that we didn’t disgrace ourselves and Nigeria is a very good team. It showed in the field that we gave everything we could and I can only be grateful. Of course, I am not happy with the result, but I am happy with their performance,” Crowie said.

“I looked at the players in the dressing room and they were all disappointed. That is a sign that they care otherwise I would have been worried if they were not disappointed.

“They can hold their heads high because they gave everything and we tried to play beautiful football.”