Chippa United coach Lehlohonolo Seema was pleased with the fight from his team despite their 1-0 loss to Kaizer Chiefs on Thursday afternoon.
A stunning finish from Ashley Du Preez in the second half broke the Chilli Boys resistance and dampened their battle against relegation.
Seema, who is back for the third time as coach of the club, believes the boys put up a gallant showing and fought until the last minute of the match.
"I think credit must go to the boys. I think I saw the fight that has been missing and the way we play, the way we conducted I think it's something that's positive for us going to Richards Bay which is another cup final also," Seema told SuperSport TV.
Read | Du Preez gets Chiefs back on winning trail
"It's not going to be an easy one, but if you can check the way we defended I think we are better than before and ja the goal that they scored outside the box showed that the shape was there.
"One mistake of the defender not closing down the ball carrier and at this level if only he can take one step and he can bend the ball. It was a beautiful goal overall. Other than that, I think we gave a fight until the last minute.
Seema also shed insight on the changes he made at the back upon the start of the second half and how certain players had to play make-shift roles.
"Of course, Ntsabo got an injury so we had to put Pfumbidzai (in) and if you tamper with the central pairing that's doing well of Pfumbidzai, you are bound to have that… Thabo as a right-back for the first time he did very well.
"But that maybe disturb the centre pairing Pfumbidzai. We had to Pfumbidzai on the left because it was only him that was available but credit to the guys, I think they left everything in the field of play.
"The last one here you can see, whether it was a foul or not you can see that they fought until the last minute," Seema said.
Chippa seemed to have snatched a point in the final seconds before the end through a delivery from a corner-kick before the referee called it back for an infringement which Seema believes was a good call.
"That's why I'm saying they fought until the last second. I didn't see because there was a lot of players in there. But for us to fight like that up until it was in the back of the net and then the referee saw it as a foul.
"I believe it was a foul and we live another day. We go to Durban to try and fight. There's still points to play for and we are not giving up. The fight that I saw today I think there's hope for Chippa United to be in the Premier League next season," he said.
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