Pretoria - Despite failing to clinch a much needed victory against Chippa United, Mamelodi Sundowns striker Khama Billiat has praised his teammates for keeping the Chilli Boys at bay.
Billiat also added that the Pretoria giants did not expect to have a free walk in the park against the debutant team this weekend.
The two sides played to an entertaining goalless stalemate in an MTN8 semi-final first leg clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday.
The Zimbabwean international forward said his teammates stood their ground, as Chippa were posing threats throughout the game.
However, Billiat said that their morale was not dented and they will soldier on with their heads up high heading into the second leg encounter, and will be looking to make amends at home.
“Credit must go to all my teammates for their discipline and I really want to thank them for being professionals,” said Billiat.
“We worked until the last minute, Chippa are very difficult to play against especially at home.
“They know how to keep the ball and they have good individual players in their team and we were not expecting to get a free walk in the park.
“I should have scored at some point in the game but it’s one of those moments were you need to look back at one of two things to improve on.
“But we’ll keep on going as a team with our heads up high going to the second leg at home.”