Richards Bay coach Kaitano Tembo felt that his side “did not find their rhythm” in their defeat to Stellenbosch FC in the semi-final of the Carling Knockout Cup.

The Natal Rich Boys crashed out of the Carling Knockout Cup at the semi-final stage following their 3-0 defeat to Stellenbosch FC at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.

Richards Bay were undone by goals from Devin Titus, Anicet Ouraand Antonio van Wyk in Durban.

Tembo has since shown his respect towards Stellies after admitting they deserved to be in the final following their performance.

“First of all, congratulations to Stellenbosch, worthy winners, they deserve to go to the final. I thought they played well today. We just didn’t get into our rhythm.

“We defended well first half, but second half we didn’t deal with the high ball, which they played all the time from Sage (Stephens) to Iqraam for them to chase.

“So, we should have been able to deal with that, we dealt with it in the first half but second half we went to sleep. But, for me, the main thing is to keep the ball and we didn’t get into that rhythm of passing.

“We lost possession so cheaply and it was always going to be difficult because our chances were very few.”

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