Sekhukhune United coach Brandon Truter admitted that a 5-0 hammering from Orlando Pirates was a 'hard lesson' as the Buccaneers sealed a slot in the semi-finals of the MTN8.
Babina Noko crashed out of the 2023 MTN8 on the first hurdle as a Zakhele Lepasa hattrick as well as goals from Philip Ndlondlo and Monnapule Saleng sealed the victory for the defending champions.
The scoreline is far cry from a narrow 2-1 defeat Sekhukhune suffered from the same opponents at the Nedbank Cup final in May.
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A visibly disappointed Truter was gracious in defeat, admitting that on the day his opponents a class above when asked what was the major difference between the two teams since their Nedbank Cup final meeting.
"The mentality has changed, the mentality definitely has changed," Truter said post-match.
"We could see the quality (of Pirates) and the understanding and the growth in the team, with that comes a certain belief that 'we can be competitors and we can actually do better than last season'.
Lepasa continues his red-hot form ??
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) August 12, 2023
Pirates take an early lead against Sekhukhune after good work Maswanganyi.
?? Stream #MTN8 live: https://t.co/TesYUfo62x pic.twitter.com/2L3o9ZOdy4
"But with the belief and the mentality, you still have to come back and play football and that was the difference tonight (Saturday).
"Pirates' boys played football and wanted this game while I think, the mentality of us, thinking that we can come here to Orlando and just show up and not compete then win against Pirates – I think that mentality is wrong.
"If you look at the players we lost and the players we have brought in, it's better quality, in terms of tactical and technical ability.
"But the mentality right throughout the squad there' s a bit of confidence and a bit of arrogance but football will humble and that's what we found out tonight.
"it's a hard lesson but like I said, it will humble you and it's a bitter pill to swallows."
Next for Sekhukhune is a DStv Premiership clash against Moroka Swallows on Wednesday at New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Kick-off is at 19:30.
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