Having held the top-flight giants in the opening 45 minutes, two goals in quick succession from Leonardo Castro and Anthony Laffor was the fourth-tier side’s undoing, as they exited the competition at the first hurdle.
Modike, however, insists his side can be proud of their display, having put the SAB League on the map through their efforts.
“I think everyone can realise that a team from the Castle League can come and perform the way we did,” he told SuperSportTV after the game. “We had a plan to contain them so they could not play, and we managed to do that in the first half.
“Unluckily in the second half we made silly mistakes which they capitalised on and we were unable to come back. But well done to my boys, they played very well.
“It’s an experience for them, having never played a game of this magnitude. South Africa can realise that Mariveni United has talent – I even heard coach Pitso Mosimane talking about my keeper!”
Modike says the league will now be his side’s focus as they look to gain promotion into the ABC Motsepe League.
“For now, we go back to the drawing board and return to our league games and play catch-up, and see if we can gain promotion into the ABC Motsepe League,” he concluded.