Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic has admitted that Marshall Munetsi’s expulsion during the Telkom Knockout final on Saturday was costly as the team went on to lose the match 3-2 on penalties to Baroka FC.

Munetsi, who was deployed as a centre back, received a red card in the 42nd minute following a clumsy challenge on an opponent, a few moments before Pirates conceded the first goal.

“It was a huge setback for us playing with a player less. However, it happened and we could not influence anything in that regard,” Sredojevic was quoted as saying by KickOff.

“The only thing we could have done was to respond and the players responded very well in the field. They have worked for that minus one player. We have applied ourselves with a player less what of course it is not easy. However, each player extended and stretched himself with limits replacing the absence of Munetsi, giving the best.

“We tried our best. We got it and invested it. However, it was not meant to be.”

The win saw Baroka claim their maiden major cup in the club’s history after gaining promotion to South Africa’s top-flight in 2016.