Kaizer Chiefs interim head coach Cavin Johnson admitted his side fell apart after conceding the first of five goals against Mamelodi Sundowns on Thursday night.
The Brazilians started the game needing three points to wrap up their season and secure a seventh successive league title, and they went about their business in style as they ran out 5-1 winners at the FNB Stadium.
All the goals came in the second half, with Tasreeq Matthews (52′, 82′), Matias Esquivel (56′), Lucas Ribeiro Costa (90′) and Thembinkosi Lorch (90+4′) on target against a Chiefs side reduced to 10 men when Given Msimango saw red after just 19 minutes.
Amakhosi’s sole goal arrived on the 85th minute mark when Mduduzi Shabalala netted from the penalty spot.
Reflecting on the result, that left Chiefs in eighth place on the DStv Premiership standings, Johnson explained that an incorrect call in the build up to Sundowns’ first goal was their downfall.
He told SuperSport: “Their first goal was a foul for us, and the referee pointed the other way.
“From that moment they went to the other side and scored a goal. That breaks the players, it was our Achilles heel. It takes it out of us, we were one man down and the foul belonged to Chiefs. After that it was like a snowball (effect).”
Johnson added: “I don’t think I was exposed. It kills players (the decision for the first goal) it was not a goal, it was a ball for Chiefs.
“Then they had the momentum going forward, and after that yes, for their third, fourth and fifth goals our players backed off, that is not normal.
“But I don’t think they outfoxed me, we just did the wrong things on the pitch.”
Next up for Chiefs is a home tie with TS Galaxy on Tuesday.