Kaitano Tembo concedes struggling Richards Bay were flat in cup tie

With the weather conditions perhaps favouring them earlier on at the King Zwelithini Stadium, the hosts were completely outplayed.

Tembo says Stellies had the better game plan.

READ: Richards Bay coach Kaitano Tembo happy with Vusumuzi Vilakazi

"Whenever they played that transition ball, long ball they always looked like they would get something but first half I thought we dealt with their long ball better. We dealt with Iqraam [Rayners] as well Jayden [Adams] and Titus [Devin] but second half we just went to sleep one moment, long ball from behind us, we didn't deal with it and then it's in. Then after that the game just opens up. So, it became a little bit difficult when you start chasing the game," Tembo said.

The Richards Bay mentor was quick to substitute striker Justice Figuareido at halftime, and he explains why.

"When we started with Justice didn't hold up the ball for us to allow the other players to join in which was always difficult but I think Stellenbosch deserve it. They are a well drilled team. They believe in what they do and they continue doing that consistently and it always worked for them," Tembo added.

Tembo wants to now turn his attention to the DStv Premiership, where the Natal Rich Boys are lying second from bottom of the table after 13 games and play three crucial matches before the long break enforced by the AFCON.

How they react from their cup elimination remains to be seen.

"It depends what it could do to the team, to the players. It depends on how we are gonna take it as a team. I think we need to dust ourselves and focus. Our best was to reach this stage but our main focus now should be the league."