A devastated Thembinkosi Lorch said Orlando Pirates "needed a bit of luck" after a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout defeat to RS Berkane in the CAF Confederation Cup final on Friday.
The Buccaneers fell at the final hurdle in heartbreaking fashion via penalties after the scores were tied at 1-1 after regulation time at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Nigeria.
Somewhat cruelly, Lorch was voted as the Man of the Match after missing the decisive penalty in a tense shootout that saw Pirates miss out on a second continental title.
Speaking after the final whistle, a teary Lorch rued his side's luck after seeing a controversial penalty awarded after a VAR review.
"I'd like to thank my players and we fought," Lorch said post-match.
"We needed some luck, but congratulations to the opponents as they worked hard.
"We just needed that bit of luck."
The Pirates side, viewed by many as favourites to lift the title were left distraught in the centre circle after the final whistle.
It is the third CAF final where the Soweto giants have ended on the losing side after finishing as runners-up back in 2014.
? 2014
— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) May 20, 2022
? 2022
History repeats itself as Orlando Pirates lose yet another #TotalEnergiesCAFCC final. They have now lost their last three finals in CAF competitions. pic.twitter.com/jMddVy6I2W