Mamelodi Sundowns boss Pitso Mosimane is still confident his 2016 African Champions League winners can return to the final this season.
His manne lost 2-1 to Wydad Casablanca in their semifinal first leg on Friday and will have to overturn the deficit in Atteridgeville come Saturday.
Salaheddine Saidi put the home side ahead in the 26th minute with a quality finish after Sundowns were put on the backfoot through some quick counterattack play by the Moroccan club.
However, Sundowns were not to be outdone, and defender Anele Ngcongca - who missed his team’s midweek league win over Chippa United - levelled matters shortly before halftime as he powered home a header.
Wydad restored their lead in the opening minute of the second half, when some unusual lackluster Sundowns defending allowed midfielder Badie Aouk to fire the hosts back in front.
But Pitso reckons he saw enough from his team that gives him the belief that they can triumph in the home leg.
The boss tells Timeslive: “While I’m not entirely happy with the result because we lost 2-1 I’m happy with the performance from the team because it’s always a difficult place for us here in Morocco.
“[But] It was the first time I have seen Wydad so stressed at the back - it’s also because we scored the important away goal.”
Downs turn their attention back to the PSL title race when they travel to Black Leopards on Tuesday night for 7.30 pm, hoping to go level on 53 points with leaders Orlando Pirates with two games left to play.