Manqoba Mngqithi has given insight into the mood inside the Mamelodi Sundown dressing room after a poor start to the season that has seen The Brazilians lose two of three matches played so far.
Mngqithi's troops were sent crashing out of the MTN8 after losing both legs by a 1-0 score to Stellenbosch FC at the semi-final stage of the competition.
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The results add further pressure and scrutiny on new head coach Mngqithi – who took over the reins from Rulani Mokwena ahead of the new season.
While Mngqithi told journalists after the match that he was not panicking over the poor start, he later conceded that the mood inside the camp was that of unhappiness following their cup exit.
"I think after the match, everyone was very unhappy because we are not accustomed to losing, losing two games in a row," he told journalists on Tuesday at the launch of the Betway Premiership.
"But obviously, we never got enough to spend together because most of the players that were there had to go to the national team.
"So, we are left with the group that is there to try and bring them up. But I always say that in life you can never do anything with what has gone past. You have a responsibility for what is in front of you.
"I'm still very happy with how the team has done in some moments, but I have not probably been happy with how we started both games against Stellenbosch because I expect a different start of the match – it always sets the tone.
"But unfortunately, we were always coming up late," added the 53-year-old.
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Mngqithi, though, remained adamant that his side were unfortunate not to get a goal or two in their matches against the Winelands outfit, having created several scoring opportunities.
The Tshwane giants now turn their attention to the CAF Champions League, where they take on Mbabane Swallows in the first leg of the second preliminary round.