We didn't try hard enough - Bhengu

Polokwane City coach Junior Bhengu says their 2-0 defeat against Mamelodi Sundowns in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge quaterfinal happened because they didn't try hard enough.

He highlighted that they also failed to play the football that made them score the highest number of goals in the group stage.

“I think we didn’t play the way we’ve been playing in the tournament.”

“I was thinking that it was also because we have didn't four players who were regulars in the team. The first we were missing was Mothusi Gopane, who has just moved to SuperSport. Our regular left-back Hlongwane, we also didn’t have our right-back Tupelo. We didn’t have our right winger, who is one of the top players I think, Bongani Nxumalo," he explained.

“I think that also contributed in the lukewarm performance for the team on the weekend. It was not a good, perfect game that you will watch in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge. We could have won if we played well."

Bhengu also noted that some of the best perfomers in his team didn't have a good day on the field.

“And also, my top players didn’t come to the party on the day. If you check Sibusiso Msibi, one of the top players in the competition, he didn’t live up to the expectations. “

“But I think we tried, the boys tried but they didn’t try enough. At the end of the day it was not a best game of football that you will expect from the two teams."

Sundowns scored in each half through Katlego Babile's brilliant free kick and Tshepo Ntlaba's strike. That was enough to seal the win for the young Brazilians.

“I won’t say Sundowns were better than us, it was not a good game, they also played just to win the game - enough for them to win. Anyone could have won the game, we could have win the game also on the day.”

City had a chance to come back as the first half ended with them trailing 1-0. There was still enough to fight back and try to win the game.

“I spoke to them at halftime, and I said it wasn’t one of the most difficult games they have played in this competition, which was really possible for them to win it.

“In the second half, they knew very well what was expected of them. We tried but not enough.”

In the end Sundowns were victorious and booked a semifinal clash against Mpumalanga Black Aces on February 15.

“After the game I spoke to them and said it’s football, it’s what happens with football. You play some good games and also some bad ones. The one we have was not so good, not worse, but not a good game.”

KEEP MOMENTUM

Bhengu mentioned that the focus will now be on regrouping as a team and come back stronger in the next edition of the tournament.

“If you check in our team, most of our players are still eligible to play in the Diski Challenge next season. We will pick ourselves, keep the rhythm and level for next season.

“Some of them are moving to the first team, some are with the first team already. Right now we have to try to keep the momentum going and then see what we can do next season.”

The coach will now shift his focus on assisting the first team technical team in the Premiership.

“With the first team, for me personally, guaranteed I will be there. So we should prepare for next season.

ONE OF THE BEST TEAMS

Bhengu said he was pleased with overall performance of the team in the Diski Challenge, where they netted the 16 goals in the group matches.

“I think we were one of the best teams in the tournament, let me be honest. People can say whatever they want to say. The way we pass the ball around, we were one of the best. Our boys were not scared to keep ball position. It doesn’t matter what people say now.”

“Some say we are showboating, I don’t believe so, I don’t believe there's such,” he lamented.

“I think I told you guys about the one journalist who said we are showboating. I asked him, why do you say the team that scores more goals than any other team, than any of the 15 teams in the Diski Challenge is showboating? But we score more goals, why is it showboating?

“We score more goals and it’s showboating? That is impossible, which means showboating is working."

“I think that’s how football should be played,” the coach concluded.