South Africa went down 2–1 to the Indomitable Lions at Al Medina Stadium on Sunday evening.
Despite creating a number of good early goalscoring opportunities, goals from Junior Tchamadeu (34') and Christian Kofane sealed the result, with only substitute Evidence Makgopa (88') on target for Bafana late on.
Speaking to SABC Sport after the game, the Burnley striker said Bafana were the better team but failed to take their chances.
"We had early chances, we could have converted but maybe just a bit unlucky," he said.
"I think we did really well and maybe that played a part in the game. We should have gone up, but we were just unlucky.
"We're here now, we just need to focus, try and regroup, get together again and try and go over things."
"We started the game well and tactically, we matched the way they played, we surprised them," added the player.
"We were able to create chances. I think we were in the game the whole time and to be honest, all around, we were probably a better team.
"They just scored a goal from nowhere and then another one in the second half which hurts a bit."
Former Nigerian international midfielder Mutiu Adepoju says the Super Eagles have been improving with every game at the Africa Cup of Nations and expects the team to see off Algeria in the quarter-finals.
Benin coach Gernot Rohr said he was proud of his players despite their 3-1 defeat to Egypt in their Africa Cup of Nations last 16 clash on Monday.
Ivory Coast midfielder Amad Diallo says he was "humbled" to scoop a third Man of the Match award in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16 win over Burkina Faso on Tuesday.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan knows his team will need to be at their best to make it to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after being pushed all the way by Benin in their last 16 clash.
