Chippa United interim coach Kurt Lentjies says he could not recognise his side after the 2-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates on Saturday.
Goals in the first half from Kabelo Dlamini and Thembinkosi Lorch helped the Buccaneers to maximum points and dropped the Chilli Boys further down the barrel.
Since returning to the hot-seat, Lentjies is yet to record a win in the league and have struggled to pick up points as the campaign continues to head to a close.
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"What I saw in the first couple of minutes in the game, I just saw the fear factor. It looks like we were afraid of them and then I don't recognize my team for the first 25 minutes and that makes it difficult and then we concede the goal as well," Lentjies told SuperSport TV.
"So, now you've got your backs against the ropes and then when you concede the second goal you recognise the team and the fear factor is gone.
"We come out the second half – make two changes and you recognize the team going forward. We almost got ourselves in the game with a header with a good save from Sipho Chaine.
"But you know, it's something we going to have deal with like I said from the performance point of view and how we just look at the second half and what happened today."
Lentjies admits that the team didn't settle from the first minute of kick-off but bounced back and became decent in the second period.
"Ja, didn't settle into the game at all – 45 minutes none existent to be honest we have to be honest about it and obviously we're playing against the quality of Orlando Pirates you going to suffer the consequences which we did today.
"So, like I said we can only take the positives out of the second half that we played today," Lentjies noted.
With another crucial encounter in midweek against Marumo Gallants FC, the Chilli Boys are confident of putting up a competitive outfit in the wake of a few injuries.
"We got the quality all round in all positions. I mean, everyone is replaceable in the team so we got a couple of injuries that we have to look at. But you know for me as a coach, I can't wait for the next game to come," Lentjies said. he added.
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