Bloemfontein Celtic coach Clinton Larsen believes his side was ‘totally outclassed’ by Mamelodi Sundowns as they were eliminated from the first round of the Telkom Knockout.

Siwelele will not be able to defend their title as they fell 4-0 at home to the Brazilians thanks to a goal by Dove Wome, an own goal Mzava and a brace from Khama Billiat.

“The game? It is very simple; we were totally outclassed by a very good team,” he says.

“But they must dust themselves off and continue soldiering on.

“First 45 minutes they got behind us once and the first goal was gifted by the goalkeeper’s clearance. In the first 45 minutes you go into the break 3-0 down- it is a bitter pill to swallow.

“There were times we built it up and we gave it away cheaply. There wasn’t enough penetration and we didn’t clean it up- it wasn’t our day.”

Celtic goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb was at fault for two of the goals let in and the coach believes his Cameroonian shot-stopper will recover from his questionable form.

“I think he has made two or three mistakes this season and they are always blown out of proportion. He is a strong character and I am sure he will bounce back from this,” concluded Larsen.