Mamelodi Sundowns forward Cassius Mailula has explained why he "was so emotional" after they were eliminated from the CAF Champions League in the semi-finals.
The Brazilians were knocked out of the semi-finals by holders Wydad Casablanca on the away goals' rule after a 2-2 draw in the second-leg this past weekend.
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Mailula, whose dream to win Africa's premier club competition was born when the Brazilians won the tournament in 2016, says he badly wanted to lift the trophy, alongside his childhood idol Themba Zwane, who is one of the remaining players who gave the club their first star above the badge.
"I was too emotional. I knew from day one that is what I want, it's a dream that I always wanted. This is something I wanted to achieve," Mailula said on Marawa Sports Worldwide on Wednesday evening.
"I would have actually wanted to be in the final and win it in my first season with the first team. Actually, to even lift the trophy with Themba Zwane.
"Because it's one of the things I said in 2016 that I want to do it one day. You know? But for me I don't think it's over. I've learned a lot in this competition and ja, it's one of those days that it happens in football that you have to experience such things and to learn," he said.
The 21-year old, who is in his first season with the senior team, went on and revealed that he was not aware of the rules of the competition and thought the game was heading into extra-time after Wydad equalised in the dying minutes.
"I don't think we lost in that game, that was a very expensive experience, you don't buy that experience. To experience such it was really terrible, I think it took me time to actually realise that we're out," he continued.
"Even after the final whistle, I was like, 'Are we out, are we not going to extra-time?' (They) told me, 'No, it's away goals' that's why I was so emotional, it hurt me deep because I believed if we were going to extra-time I didn't think they were going to have a chance," he added.
