The then-defending champions were put to the sword by the Moroccans after being reduced to nine players for what went down as a first defeat in the competition.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Tshabalala admits it was a hard pill to swallow, but that poor performances began months earlier with the loss in the Cosafa Cup final and they are working hard to rectify it this season.

"To say we have recovered, it's long gone. For us to be able to win Caf again, we need to reinforce the team. There are a couple of players who will be coming down to Mamelodi Sundowns, but I don't want to let the cat out of the bag for now," said Tshabalala.

"I'm also excited for the fact that teams are playing a low block – remember how we lost the Cosafa Champions League [final], Green Buffaloes were sitting very, very low.

"But it's preparing us, it's good. It's good that these things are happening as early as possible, so when we come across them in Cosafa, we don't get frustrated."

The Brazilian mentor was named Coach of the Year at the third annual Gauteng Women in Sports awards this past weekend, after leading the team to a second consecutive Champions League final and retaining the Hollywoodbets Super League title.

'Kappa', as he is affectionately known, credits the quality of his players for making his job easier.

"It goes back to the hard work we've put in at training. When I was told I was Coach of the Season, I said to my players, credit must go to them for allowing me to lead them, for them believing in me in terms of what I'm teaching them at training and then applying it in games," he added.

"It's not easy to lead a team like Mamelodi Sundowns, and the players being exposed to international football, immediately when they start believing in you as a coach, it's easier for you to apply whatever you know in terms of football."

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