Highlands Park coach Owen Da Gama believes his side had enough chances to defeat SuperSport United in the MTN8 final at Orlando Stadium.
The Lions of the North missed out on the MTN8 title after Bradley Grobler's solitary strike secured a 1-0 win for Matsatsantsa on Saturday evening.
READ: SuperSport crowned MTN8 champs
"First and foremost, congratulations to SuperSport, they took their goal well in critical moment of the match, but hell no we had enough chances to wrap up this game," Da Gama told SuperSport TV.
"We created in the first ten minutes, three, four chances but if you don't take your chances this is what happens. We're getting there, I'm very proud of the boys, it was not our day but we thank the Lord for carrying us this far and all the thanks goes to him."
Da Gama added that the forced substitution of Lesenya Ramoraka [replaced by Wayde Jooste] in the first-half derailed his plans somewhat.
"A forced sub [substitution] so early in the game is rather unfortunate you know. Sometimes players have to be honest, if you're not ready rather say "I'm not ready" but it's a learning curve for us. We didn't take our chances, we had a forced situation, critical phase of the game, we went to sleep. But all I'm saying is, I'm proud of the boys, they've played in the final and for me that is important," he said.