Davids: I’m proud of my players

Cape Town - Maritzburg United coach Fadlu Davids praised Free State Stars for claiming the Nedbank Cup while saluting a superb performance from his side.

The Team of Choice were on top for large parts of the match held at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday but conceded the only goal of the game to Goodman Dlamini on the stroke of half-time.

Davids acknowledged that his young side will learn from their defeat while admitting it was tough to take the loss.

He was reported on KickOff as saying: "It’s quite frustrating but we have to take it as a team we can’t blame individuals although it was a mistake these young kids will learn from this. We have to learn from these lessons hopefully next season we can correct it.

“We made the error that was the only chance they had in the whole match but nobody will say Maritzburg had this possession, Maritzburg had this chance Free State Stars are the winners well done to them I think they deserve it.”

He added: "I’m proud of my players they gave everything. Perhaps it wasn’t meant to be. Perhaps it’s a learning curve. We have to learn. Perhaps it’s too early for us to be here at this stage with a young group. But we’re improving.

"This will be a hard lesson. It’s hard for the players to accept it but at the end of the day, they will realise why it wasn’t meant to be.

“They will realise what steps they will need to take, going into next season it gives indications on what we need to improve and strengthen. What we need to do to become a better team."