Maritzburg United head coach Fadlu Davids was really proud of his players after the defeat to Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup on Friday night.
The Team of Choice had Travis Graham sent off in the first and managed to take the Soweto giants to extra-time, where they eventually conceded two goals.
Read: New Signing Du Preez Sends Chiefs To Nedbank Cup Last 16
Maritzburg did cause Chiefs a few problems on the break, but Davids insists this game will prepare the side for the battle against relegation in the DStv Premiership.
"We lost the battle today but the war is something this will prepare us for and the war is the league, I'm so proud of my players today, against all odds, pushing, working together as a team," Davids told SuperSport after the match.
"This unity, this tactical discipline will help us for the rest of the season. We spoke in length this week about game-management, about sticking together as a unit with a ball and without a ball and today they passed the test.
"Really proud, although this loss hurts but lessons like this will definitely prepare us for the rest of the season."
He continued, "And that's what it was, we had to work for that man that was short, to be able to keep the spaces closed, waiting for our moment, being patient. I can't fault any player, they worked as a unit and worked as team. Like I said the lessons we learned today will really help us grow as a team.
"Not the start we wanted, definitely in relation to in possession, not passing the ball quick enough, not moving, not creating the spaces we wanted to use in possession.
"But okay my main topic this week was to create this team unity, to create this game management structure I'm talking about without the ball like we conceded last week and that's what I got today, I got everything I wanted, without the ball, team unity, game-management, unity and I can't ask for more."
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
