Mamelodi Sundowns could be kicking themselves for trying too hard to present a perfect picture to the world, after revelations by assistant coach Steve Komphela.
Sundowns were applauded for showing braveness by sticking to their passing game even against bigger opposition like Borussia Dortmund and even when they were trailing at the FIFA Club World.
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However, a costly mistake by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who passed the ball to a wrong shirt, trying to play from the back early in the game, eventually affected their rhythm and were susceptible to more errors.
Reflecting on their matches at the global club tournament, Masandawana head coach Miguel Cardoso accepted that they found the level was high, in terms of the speed of the game, where the ball travels faster and spaces close quicker.
"The discussion we had I remember with Ronwen Williams, we said 'Ronza, we are going there, there's a technical study group, the likes of Arsene Wenger, Roberto Martinez and all those," Komphela said on 947's MSW.
"Those people are there to compile a technical report about the Club World Cup for FIFA, what are we bringing on the table, that when we come back to South Africa, as an African team, what is it that we're leaving on the TSG (Technical Study Group) table that they will remember?
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"To us that was a deeper concern, a deep desire to say we'll go compete but above all, what is it that we leave on the table and answering that question, we can look back and safely say, 'okay we tried to do a definition that actually does away with all the misconceptions about South Africa, about African football, it's got so many layers," Komphela added.
Sundowns could have got lessons that perhaps the game is shifting away from slow build-ups from the back and more into quick, transitional style.
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