Sekhukhune find positives despite third consecutive Pirates defeat

Their campaign ended with a 3-0 defeat at the Orlando Amstel Arena, leaving them on the wrong side of a 4-0 aggregate scoreline after Pirates had also won the first leg in Polokwane. 

The result completed three defeats against the Buccaneers in the space of eight days, including a 1-0 Betway Premiership loss in midweek.

Despite that run, Masehe believes there were encouraging signs in the way his players competed and says they can take valuable lessons from the three encounters with the defending champions.

"The aspect that I think we did well from the first match that we played against Pirates the first leg of the MTN8 in the second half how we controlled posessesion of the ball and how we then penetrated them and created some chances although they weren't that many," said Masehe

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"But the league game that we played we created a lot of chances also in the second half so even today it was evident in the second half we did much better we created a whole lot of chances and we also had to take the risk of committing numbers forward. And with the subs and the impact that they had from the bench they were bound to catch us here and there and we had to try everything to try and get a goal back."

Masehe feels the difference across the three matches was often decided by the quality Pirates possess in key areas of the pitch. 

He also acknowledges that Sekhukhune could have responded better when tactical instructions were changed from the bench.

Sekhukhune have entered a new phase under coach Cedric Kaze, with a number of experienced players departing during the off-season. Former captain Linda Mntambo retired, while Bradley Grobler, Thabang Monare and other senior players were among those who left as the club reshaped its squad.

Masehe says that context should not be overlooked when assessing the team’s performances. 

With younger players now being integrated alongside the new arrivals, he believes the process requires patience as Babina Noko works towards becoming a more settled side.