BAFANA Bafana coach Gordon Igesund sees a bright future for the current group of players who exited the Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 penalties defeat against Mali in Saturday night's quarter-final at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Bafana dominated much of the game but were unable to overcome the more experienced Malians. Normal time ended 1-1, and the score remained that way after extra time.

Igesund said Bafana should be proud of largely matching the No.3-ranked team in Africa, and 25th in the world. "From my point of view, I think we lost with pride, dignity and passion. As a coach you can only ask so much of your team and they gave everything," the coach said.

"We played probably the best game we've played for a while. Maybe we were a bit unfortunate, but it was a performance where you don't want to be losing the game when you play that well."

Mali were third-placed finishers in the last Afcon a year ago. Bafana have not qualified for the last two tournaments.

SA produced a superb team performance in the first half, with Tokelo Rantie stabbing home a 31st-minute opener. But SA's naivety on this stage, and Mali's greater experience, cost the host nation. Bafana conceded a soft equaliser to danger man Seydou Keita in the 58th, then were unable to break down the west Africans' suppressing game in midfield. SA crumbled under the pressure in the penalty shoot-out.

Igesund said Bafana's performance in the tournament shows they have a bright future. "I think we've made huge strides. And we got better and better as the tournament went on. It was a tough, tough ask from the beginning. But we always remained positive, we knew what we wanted to do, and the improvement we've made I think is fantastic.

"We got the players from July 1, when I was employed, and we had maybe 30 days with the team since, and I think they've come a long way. Let's hope we can move on from here, with a very new team - the average age is 26 - and a lot of young players really came to the party. Obviously we're disappointed but I think this team's got a bright future."

Safa have yet to officially proclaim Igesund's job safe, but should the coach continue he and his players have little time for rest. Bafana host Central African Republic in a World Cup qualifier on March 22. After two opening draws, SA are two points behind group leaders Ethiopia (four points). Igesund said there are plenty of players who will be taken into consideration for Bafana's 2014 qualifying campaign.

"A lot of players weren't here. For example, Daylon Claasen, Morgan Gould, Eric Mathoho and Ayanda Patosi. But I think the message everyone will get from this Afcon is everybody's got an opportunity, and you've got to have pride, passion and commitment when you're playing for this team.

"No-one is going to walk into this team because their name is Joe Soap. I think we've set that precedent. It was a tough tournament and the players who went out showed that pride, and that's what is more important sometimes. There's a lot of players who've got to put their hand up. And these players we've got in the squad want to keep their places and I think that bodes well for our team."