Wydad Casablanca boss Adil Ramzi has explained what he believes led to his side's defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the African Football League final.
Despite heading into the second leg of the final with a one-goal advantage, the Moroccan side suffered a 2-0 loss that saw them lose out on the opportunity to lift the first-ever AFL trophy on Sunday.
Read: Sundowns crowned inaugural AFL champions
Goals from Peter Shalulile and Aubrey Modiba in the return fixture saw Masandawana claim a 3-2 aggregate victory, but things could have been very different had Wydad not been denied a penalty during the game.
However, Ramzi identified his own men to be the problem, rather than the referee.
"African football is witnessing tremendous development, and everyone must strive to continue this continental success and rise to the challenge," the Moroccan tactician said after the final, per elbotola.com.
"The problem was not from the referee. The biggest problem was from us as a team. We were absent and less energetic than the other party.
"I think we were not the best on the mental level, and the penalty kick that was not awarded in our favour was not the reason behind our defeat, more than it was the mental factor and the physical is the real reason."
Morocco international Yahya Jabrane was missing for the all-important encounter at Loftus Versfeld stadium after he was suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards, and Ramzi admitted that the player's absence from the team left a hole in midfield that could not be covered up.
"Everyone knows Jabrane's influence within the group. He is an important and distinguished player. He is a person with a strong personality, and in such matches we need a leader who speaks and pushes the group forward," he added.
"We have tried to replace other players in his place, but it appeared in today's match that we miss him greatly.
"Sundowns have gained more experience than last year, and I would like to congratulate them on this title.
"They deserved to win, and we hope that we will all perform at great levels befitting African football in general. In turn, I will analyse my team's performance."
Read: 'I'm just lucky to be their coach' - Rulani hails Downs stars
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