Richards Bay coach Brandon Truter appeared to be a man crushed and wanted to run away as his side disappointed him by losing to Magesi FC in the Carling Knockout semi-final at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.

Bay, who also lost in the semi-final last season, failed to score a goal from open play in three matches in this competition this season.

On Saturday, it was their own undoing as defender Tshepo Mabua’s attempted back pass was intercepted by Magesi’s Tshepo Mashigo, who finished it off powerfully at the near post in the 27th minute.

“Hugely, hugely disappointed,” was what Truter summed up the loss after the game.

Magesi, who appears to be in clear waters since they were promoted at the end of last season from the Motsepe Foundation Championship under Durban-born coach Clinton Larsen, will now face either Mamelodi Sundowns or Marumo Gallants in the final at Toyota Stadium on 23 November. Gallants host Sundowns in the other semi-final at Dr Molemela Stadium on Sunday.

“I think we started the game very brightly in terms of ball possession and creating chances,” continued Truter.

“Finally, we got the ball into the penalty area on numerous occasions and just failed to connect, failed to get the right decision on it. Other than that, we knew they were going to threaten us on the counter, and our counter-press was very good, and we managed to turn the ball over very high and keep them at bay.

“Unfortunately, we have nothing to show for it. It’s been so far our Achilles heel, the way we are, and it is something we will work on and try to eliminate.

“A mistake from Ian Otieno against Orlando Pirates in the league last week and a mistake from Tshepo today. It’s one goal, one mistake at the moment. Unfortunately, these are individual mistakes at the moment.

“We can’t be okay with mistakes. We can’t be okay with one more, and we are still worried about that goal, yet we created chances.”

Truter, who said he knows his players desperately wanted to reach the final, said losing to a team like Magesi, which just got promoted, was a huge opportunity lost.

“Definitely, definitely Duke,” said Truter to Sportswire without hesitation.

“I think when Magesi and ourselves got the draw, we said we were going to the final, and nothing to show from it from our side. I’m hugely disappointed.

“It was a really good opportunity to get to the final and make history for Richards Bay and also make the province of KwaZulu-Natal proud, which we couldn’t get over.”