After Mamelodi Sundowns were upset by Stellenbosch in the MTN8 semi-final second-leg, this website picks five factors that let head coach Manqoba Mngqithi down in what was a must-win encounter.
The Brazilians were lacklustre in succumbing to defeat to Steve Barker's charges and, having gone down 1-0 in the first leg in midweek, had to settle for a defeat via a similar scoreline on Sunday. Here is what might have gone wrong...
1. Shalulile bench a costly error?
Peter Shalulile's form has not been at its best since towards the end of last season.
However, Mngqithi made a big call to reserve the trusted Namibian marksman in favour of new signing Arthur Sales, who came with a R64 million price tag.
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Although The Brazilians did not create many clear opportunities until towards the end, Shalulile is a player for the big occasion and the head coach will think long and hard on whether he made a mistake.
2. Wrong position for Zwane?
From a coaching perspective, it was almost a foregone conclusion that Mngqithi would start Zwane alongside Sales, after the two made an impact off the bench in the first leg.
However, Stellenbosch FC prepared well for that combination with three central defenders Olivier Toure, Thabo Moloisane and Athenkosi Mcaba deployed.
Mngqithi seemingly complicated things by playing Lucas Ribeiro Costa in front of Sales instead of Zwane.
'Mshishi' had to play deep, fetch and carry balls, which is not his game.
3. A youngster thrown it at the deep end
Another call that raised eyebrows was that of youngster Kutlwano Letlhaku.
For such a big game, Mngqithi's risk did not pay off.
Letlhaku still lacks experience. The 18-year-old was playing for SAFA-Transnet School of Excellence just over a year ago and has not been exposed to the rigours of top-flight football yet.
4. Players not ready to play a high line?
Under former head coach Rulani Mokwena, the side hardly played a high line, as Mokwena's rest defence was hardly caught out.
In fact, under him, it was very difficult to create chances against Masandawana, who snuffed teams out by dominating possession and winning it back, when they lost it, from as high as possible.
However, the defence hardly played high up and under Mngqithi, particularly against Stellenbosch, the Tshwane giants appeared vulnerable to counter-attacks whenever their last line pushed high.
5. Questionable tactics from the bench?
The 53-year-old coach affected the game from the bench in the second stanza in the first leg, even though they went on to lose.
However, there was hardly any impact from players off the bench on Sunday.
The substitution of Teboho Mokoena, a huge goal threat, with 15 minutes to go, raised eyebrows.
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'Tebza' was hardly substituted under Mokwena.
Even though Mngqithi brought on Shalulile, there were a number of players he could have subbed but not the 2022/23 PSL Footballer of the Season.
The Bafana Bafana midfielder was only substituted four times in 37 games last season and substituted when games were already won or if he picked up an injury.