Mainstay United coach Galiel Pelwan felt his charges were lucky to only concede five goals in their opening ABC Motsepe playoffs group B game against Zizwe United at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane on Wednesday.

Pelwan was frank in his assessment of the game‚ saying his charges were outclassed and outplayed by the Western Cape champions.

Mpho Erasmus scored four goals while Banele Buyeye scored one as they humiliated the Northern Cape representatives in the playoffs.

"They totally outplayed us in all departments. We can't play the blame game on referees or anyone.

"I'm just sad about the amount of goals but it could have been worse‚" he said.

When asked about their chances of gaining promotion to the National First Division‚ Pelwan admitted that "now it looks bleak".

He said he would tell his players to keep pushing when they play against EC Bees on Thursday because "we don't know what can still happen".

Pelwan said he did not know anything about Zizwe United before Wednesday's game.

"But I think they came up with a better game plan‚" he said.

Mainstay are the first team in the playoffs to concede more than one goal. They could have played the whole day but they could not have scored as they simply did not pitch up for the match.

Had it been a boxing match‚ the referee would have stopped the match as it was one-sided from the onset with the rampant Zizwe launching an assault after assault. - TMG Digital/TMG Sport