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Even the traditional post-match banter with their fans did not mask the heartbreak for Mamelodi Sundowns.
After crisscrossing the continent in search of another CAF Champions League star above their crest, the journey sadly ended in Atteridgeville for Sundowns yesterday.
It was familiar foes Wydad Athletic whodenied coach Pitso Mosimane and his side a pass to the final stage of the premier continental club competition, which the South African champions won in 2016.
Having eliminated Sundowns two seasons ago, albeit in the quarterfinals, the Moroccan powerhouse yesterday set a date in the final with Esperance of Tunisia, who also sneaked in with a 1-0 aggregate over the Democratic Republic of Congo’s TP Mazembe.
The narrow margins are an indication of how tough the contest has been at this phase of the tournament, where the new champs will be crowned on May 31.
But Sundowns did not really bring to their game the same kind of arrogance that saw them down giants such as Al Ahly at home.
In Wydad, the Brazilians were up against a side whose intention was to manage the game from the onset and it was apparent from the way the Moroccans pressed the hosts high up. Wydad also had enough bodies behind the ball whenever they were not in possession, stopping Sundowns from executing their passing game.
The Moroccans knew how to delay play with theatrics and down after even the slightest tackle, but it was their unsporting behaviour that took the cake even when they were in the wrong.
The likes of Hlompho Kekana, Gastón Sirino and Themba Zwane were among those at the receiving end of dangerous play, and Angolan referee Helder Martins de Carvalho had his hands full trying to mediate.
The match official flashed four yellow cards with an equal split to the two sides.
In fact, Wydad players picked on Kekana and Sirino the most in a bid to neutralise them. But the Downs captain, who was a bit sloppy by his standards, had the solid backing of his partner Tiyani Mabunda.
Amid these dramatic moments, attempts at goal were few and far between.
Thapelo Morena almost sneaked in a goal 19 minutes into the game, but the versatile player was beaten to the ball by the visiting defence. Roving full back Tebogo Langerman also initiated some forays down the left, but he was given no room to cut in or deliver a perfect cross.
Sundowns were almost caught unawares midway into the second half, but came away unscathed from a defensive mixup under a Wydad attack.
The second half saw some urgency from the hosts as they probed the north Africans in a game where the two goalkeepers were never really tested.
But such attacks fizzled out, prompting a tactical switch by Mosimane, who beefed up the attack with Sibusiso Vilakazi where Sirino and Lebohang Maboe were almost suffocated by the uncompromising Wydad rearguard.
Vilakazi came in for defender Anele Ngcongca, while Phakamani Mahlambi replaced Mabunda.
Still, Mosimane was left frustrated as the number of moves into the Wydad goal area did not yield any positive returns, even from a series of corner kicks that Sundowns won in the final quarter.
Even the normally joyous Masandawana – who again filled up the Atteridgeville venue – were disapproving of some indecisiveness by their team, but it was mostly Wydad’s time-wasting tactics that drew their ire.
Mosimane was equally miffed.
But such has been part and parcel of the ploy by teams from north Africa to unsettle their opponents, especially when results are in their favour.
However, this did not warrant the volley of missiles thrown by a section of fickle fans in injury time.
The 2-1 deficit from the first leg in Morocco was not really beyond the reach of Downs as an odd goal and a clean slate would have earned the 2016 African club champions another ticket to the final.
Sundowns, who yesterday clocked their 46th official match in all competitions so far this season, will now have put away their CAF disappointment and turn their attention to the Absa Premiership.
They resume their programme against Golden Arrows at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday evening.
