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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates coach Eric Tinkler bemoaned his side's first-half performance following a 3-2 defeat to Stuart Baxter's SuperSport United in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday.
The Buccaneers started strongly and looked to be in the driver's seat after claiming the lead through Luvuyo Memela in the 12th minute.
However, SuperSport hit back just three minutes later when Jeremy Brockie headed home, before Bradley Grobler and Michael Boxall added their names to the scoresheet for Matsatsantsa.
Pirates managed to pull one back after the break when Clayton Daniels put the ball in his own net, but Tinkler's men were unable to net an equaliser to force the game into extra-time.
"Massive disappointment. We showed good character in the second half, but we let ourselves down in the first-half," Tinkler said, reflecting on his side's performance and the result.
"We got that goal and we needed to protect that lead, particularly in the first five minutes after scoring, but we allowed them straight back into the game.
"Unfortunately their second one came from an error from Rakhale. We were looking to fight back, but then they got the third.
"We tried to lift the boys at half-time, telling them if we get an early goal in the second half we can get back in the game.
"We threw everything at them but just couldn't get the ball in the back of the net. That's the way it goes. Congratulations to SuperSport."
