Royal AM head coach John Maduka revealed the positive side of their game after a narrow 2-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Royal AM's unbeaten run in the league ended after an early goal by Sphelele Mkhulise and a late one by Khuliso Mudau.
Sbangani Zulu made for a nervy finish after pulling a goal back for Thwihli Thwahla in added time but it was too little too late.
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"We started slow, unfortunately we made the mistake and you know Sundowns if you make a mistake, they wait for those moments and they punished us. After that I think we got better and better whenever we tried to play our game," Maduka said on SuperSport TV.
"We looked a little bit much better. The second-half we said let's try to push a little bit more forward so we can able to get some chances. But I think the boys did that. We had a couple of chances, even in the first-half. [Motebang] Sera had one that maybe he knew where he was, he was supposed to do better.
"Every time we tried to play the game we know we looked better, I'm proud of the boys, they put the hard work against Sundowns, apart from that mistake we did well. Yes, we didn't get the points we needed but I'm happy with the performance," Maduka said.
The Malawian mentor also lamented the early injury of Khetukuthula Ndlovu, as he had to be replaced by Mfundo Thikazi and praised his young centre-backs for not allowing too many chances against The Brazilians.
"It disturbs you because you have to change the way you have to approach the game, you have to bring a new [player]. But the boys worked hard, so happy with the effort they put, it's not easy to play against this team, a team that can create chances," the former Bloemfontein Celtic midfielder said.
"Our centre-backs, Zulu [goal-scorer] and [Ayanda] Jiyani, young boys, marvelous to watch, yes we didn't get the points we wanted but so many positives," Maduka added.