Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena says he is really proud of his players after their CAF Champions League exit on Saturday.
Sundowns could not reach the final of the CAF Champions League after they were edged by Wydad on away goals' rule after a 2-2 draw in the second leg at Loftus Versfeld.
Following a goalless first stanza, Themba Zwane broke the deadlock early in the second stanza but the Moroccan giants equalised with 18 minutes remaining courtesy of Ayoub El Amloud.
Read | Sundowns miss out on Champions League final
Peter Shalulile restored the lead for the Brazilians 11 minutes before time but an own goal by Mothobi Mvala four minutes later broke Sundowns' hearts, as Wydad got a second away goal.
Mokwena says what made the difference in their tie with the defending champions is the experience.
"Unpredictable but that's Champions League and maybe the biggest difference today is that Wydad have a lot of experience, you could see it, they wait for moments," Mokwena told SuperSport TV.
"And they had two big moments and they capitalized but congratulations to the football club on a fantastic Champions League run," he said.
Mokwena went on and said that he is encouraged to stomach being knocked out by the compliments from the opposition and he's convinced they will win the title in a season or two.
"It sounds a little bit bitter at the moment and it tastes a little bit bitter because it's got no victories but when I hear the compliments of the Wydad team and I hear compliments from the Wydad coach I stomach it a little bit.
"And even though there's a bit of disappointment, I'm really proud of the players, proud of this football club for a magnificent run in this year's Champions League. Unfortunately it comes to an end like this.
"The difference, as I said it's the experience and you can't buy it. You gotta learn from it, we've got to feel what it feels like to lose and we'll win the (CAF) Champions League, for sure. It will take another season maybe, another season maybe but we'll do it. We'll get there. We just have to use these painful experiences as lessons."
The 36-year old mentor was asked what lessons he could take from the game and suggested that the experience of losing at such a crucial stage will make them better.
"There's a lot. At the moment I'm too emotional to even think about the lessons but we go again. Wish Wydad all the best for the final. We call it football heritage but we'll learn from it, we will be better, we'll get there," he added.
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