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Cape Town - Cape Town City FC head coach Benni McCarthy admitted that the Kaizer Chiefs defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for his players.
"It was like a funeral in there (changeroom). They dropped their heads," said McCarthy in his post-match press conference.
"I think they gave the fans what they came for because it was one of the most entertaining South African football games that I've seen in a long time.
"It was end to end stuff, the game had everything. It had goals, unfortunately two against our side.
"They must be proud because I've never ever seen Chiefs sit back that much against any team."
On a five match winning streak in his maiden season as a mentor, McCarthy's charges fell short against an Amakhosi side that put in a diligent performance at the Cape Town Stadium.
In the last month, McCarthy guided City past Bidvest Wits, twice in the MTN8 (home and away semi-final leg) and one league fixture at the start of the PSL campaign.
The other two games were against Polokwane City (in the MTN8 quarter-finals) and Platinum Stars in an Absa Premiership encounter.
McCarthy, 39, who brought the likes of Teko Modise, Ayanda Patosi and Lyle Lakay to the Citizens during the transfer window, says that the hard part about the defeat is motivating his players and not losing momentum going forward.
"I'm gutted that it came to an end, honestly," said McCarthy with a disappointing smirk after being asked about City's winning streak.
"You know what, it does bring a lot of media (attention) and a lot of pressure... 'when is it going to happen, when is it going to happen' (a Cape Town City defeat).
"We all go into a job wanting to end up in a higher position, but when you're in management the worst feeling is losing.
"Now, I can take it (a defeat) because I have suffered it as a player, but how do you get these guys (his players) to continue in this positive attitude, this positive momentum that we have going on and that is what I was (am) dreading because when its going all good and anything is possible they take losing really tough, really hard."
