Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has confessed their failure to qualify for the CAF Champions League final is a bitter pill to swallow.
Sundowns hopes of lifting another African title turned to smoke after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in Tshwane on Saturday, which resulted in a 2-1 defeat on aggregate.
The Brazilians needed only one goal and to not concede to book themselves a date with Tunisian side Esperance. Instead it will be Wydad in the final.
"I am not disappointed with the team, I am just disappointed with the result," said Mosimane.
"You know me, I want to win. I believe we had an opportunity to go to the final. We didn't start very well in the first 15 minutes. I think there was a lot of anxiety in the team, the fluidity that we know we always get in the first five, ten, twenty minutes couldn't come up. We played in patches, we came, we disappeared.
"It's also experience, we need experience to play in the Champions League all the time. But this thing happens to everybody. To come out of the CAF Champions League semifinal with this team, with Lebohang Maboe just signed from Maritzburg United and Thapelo Morena from Bloemfontein Celtic, is not too bad to be honest.
'Jingles' thanked the great support his team received at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
"I am disappointed with the result of course but also I am happy people supported us. South Africans supported us and I don't think it was only Sundowns supporters. We were united," Mosimane added.
"I am disappointed that we didn't go through when we have such support, it's unbelievable. It's big, that's it. It's just a bitter pill to swallow at this point in time."
Get the latest Sundowns news sent to your phone!