Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker says the lessons the team are learning from another semi-final defeat will help them in the future.
The Brazilians scored through Khuliso Mudau and Thembinkosi Lorch but Stellies got in the game a little too late after a goal from behind by Genino Palace.
"They are really a good team, so it was a good test for us, nice big crowd semi-final of a cup against one of the best teams on the continent, so it was a good gauge to see where we are as a football club and I thought we've done ourselves proud," Barker said on SuperSport.
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"I thought we hung in the game there 2-1, I think maybe if we had scored ten minutes earlier maybe we could have got the second but ja a lot of lessons learnt. They scored their first goal when we had a player down injured, obviously they attacked on the right hand side Mudau with a goal and the ja, 2-0 down I thought it could be a difficult afternoon especially when they got a penalty.
"But ja, penalty missed, we score a little bit just after that and we were a little but unlucky to force something but I thought we played well especially second-half. I thought we got ourselves back in the game, we didn't allow them all the time and space to have in the first-half," he said.
"We were a little bit confident, use the ball better. Look to turn and get behind them which we did a couple of times. Congratulations to them, they go to another cup final, it's a second semi-final in two seasons we fall out, so it's all good lessons we're learning, I think it's preparing us well for the future."
Barker went on and said he's looking forward to a strong start next season if the core of the group, currently second in the DStv Premiership table, is retained.
"I think this team if we can continue as a team, start with this group and really start next season strong and challenge at the right end of the table, I believe this group can be competitive, both in the league and hopefully we can finish in the continental position. A really good group of players," he added.
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