Cape Town - Cape Town City skipper Robyn Johannes admits he is still heartbroken and sulking after the MTN8 final loss to SuperSport United, but wants to help the team to get over it.
The Citizens were in full control of the final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium earlier this month, however, poor finishing cost them and they lost on penalties after regulation time ended 1-1.
Since the defeat, Benni McCarthy's side have suffered something of a hangover after back-to-back losses to Bloemfontein Celtic and Chippa United in the PSL.
As a result, McCarthy has made it public that he intended to read the riot act to certain senior players to try and get them focused on the task at hand once more.
City face Baroka in a Telkom Knockout first-round encounter at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday and will no doubt hope to get back to some improved form against the league leaders.
Nonetheless, Johannes revealed how he is struggling to come to terms with the setback against Matsatsantsa, although he said moving on was important.
He told Sowetan Live: "For me personally‚ the MTN8 is still in my head‚ in the back of my mind. The heartbreak of it. So I'm sure that's playing in the heads of the guys.
"But that's life. We have to go on and defend the Telkom Knockout. That's the most important thing at the moment.
"I'm still sulking‚ I won't even lie. We had it in our grasp! If we had played badly or didn't deserve to win it‚ then okay. We have a talented squad and we want to go on and achieve good things. We can move on and focus and look forward to the future."
Meanwhile the City skipper is reportedly close to extending his stay at City with his agent confirming that they are currently holding talks in signing a contract extension.