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Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane admits being knocked out of the CAF Champions League at the semi-final stage is a "bitter pill to swallow" but congratulated his conquers, Wydad Casablanca.
The Moroccan outfit were resolute in defence as they held Masandawana to a 0-0 draw at a packed Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday to go through to the final 2-1 on aggregate.
Mosimane said after the game: "Obviously I am disappointed that we did not go through to the final with this kind of support, it is a bitter pill to swallow.
"Congratulations to WAC, they defended very well. Their president took me to their dressing room after the match so that I can congratulate the players personally.
"We know each other very well because we have faced each other so many times. But this is football and we have to accept (the defeat) and try again next season.
"When you lose in the semi-final with a 2-1 aggregate, you need to face reality and accept it."
Mosimane, who was bidding to win the CAF Champions League for the second time after success on the continent in 2016, said his club will come back stronger next season.
The Sundowns mentor continued: "I have seen big clubs in the world like Bayern Munich and Juventus knocked out of the Champions League, so would Sundowns not accept being knocked out in the semifinals?
"We will try again next year because we understand where we are and maybe our way in next years' Champions League will be a little bit different."
