Andre Arendse's message to SuperSport United players after cup exit

Matsatsantsa were hoping that progressing to the semi-finals of the tournament would bring them a step closer to salvaging what is fast appearing to be a season to forget but were eliminated by Orlando Pirates on penalties.

The Tshwane outfit twice came from behind to force the fixture at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium into extra-time.

Arendse believes it’s a performance to build on.

"I feel for them, I'm not sure who's more tired, the players or me, I kicked every ball with them, headed every ball with them but they gave me so much to be proud of today, so much to be prod of today and that's all we can ask from the players," Arendse said.

"They were some moments where we gave the ball away too cheaply but they gathered themselves and they defended well when they needed to. It was against a team like this, a ball-possession team, they will hurt you if you don't press them the way you should press them and I think we got that 100% correct today.

“We had chances, it could have easily been two, three, or four for us, Lungu [Gamphani] missed one in the beginning stages of the game and Christian Saile also was just throwing balls when he just could have passed to Bradley [Grobler].

“So, we had those opportunities and there’s so much we can take from in the build up to our next games."

READ: Kaizer Chiefs at risk of losing George Matlou

According to the coach, the momentum of the match swung in SuperSport’s favour for much of the second half.

Arendse says they needed a little bit more capitalise on midfielder Gape Moralo’s equaliser in the 90th minute.  

"Brilliantly worked goal, Gape Moralo had the presence of mind to see the gaps, to take people on, to just know where he's going and what he wanted to do in the end,” the coach added.

“What he did well after all the hard work in the goal and if you hit the target, you're gonna get something and he got it and equalised for us. I felt from then on, we got better and better and better and we finished the stronger of the two teams."