Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande is confident the side can put their MTN8 heartbreak behind them when they host University of Pretoria at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday.
AmaKhosi saw their unbeaten start to the 2015/16 campaign come to a halt on Saturday after going down 1-0 to Ajax Cape Town in the Wafa Wafa final, with the result seeing Chiefs surrender the crown they won last term.
The Glamour Boys will now return to Premiership action against AmaTuks in midweek, and Zimbabwe international Katsande is hoping they can avoid any sort of cup hangover as they look to claim the top-flight lead.
"Champions always bounce back," he told his club's official website.
"We respect Tuks. They are a good side, but we will be ready."
Looking back over their Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium loss at the weekend, Katsande said: "It was upsetting, especially because we wanted to keep the trophy.
"However, we have learnt from our mistakes and our focus is now on defending our Absa Premiership trophy. Unlike a cup, which is a sprint, the league is a marathon."