All Mamelodi Sundowns had to do was win their last group game at home against Horoya to progress to the quarter-finals of the Caf Champions League.
However the Brazilians drew 0-0 on a frustrating night for South African football.
Here's how Sundowns and the South African public reacted to their exit on Twitter.
All over from the Lucas Moripe Stadium, the Brazilians bow out of the CAF CL! #Sundowns #DownsHoroya #DownsLive #CAFCL pic.twitter.com/v0MJW9qsqv
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) August 28, 2018
I'll tell my kids one day that, on the very same night Gabuza walked off the during the game. Sundowns was practically knocked out by a team that takes a team photo like this pic.twitter.com/bNttK2n2UC
— Sthe (@StheSimelane_) August 29, 2018
We pushed hard, we will be back stronger Masandawana!#Sundowns pic.twitter.com/vj1VMeIQxn
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) August 29, 2018
Sundowns fans we have not forgotten about you pic.twitter.com/r5jiO0xDWY
— 4/15 (@FootballTshepo) August 28, 2018
DON'T WORRY GABUZA! Goalless Sundowns are spending millions!
— Neal Collins (@nealcol) August 28, 2018
Brockie: R10m fee, R5m salary
Silva: R3.5m
Meza: R9m fee, R4m
Maboe: R8m fee, R1.5m
Sirino: R5m fee, R3.5m
Ngoma: R8m transfer, R3.5m
Vilakazi: R3m
Zwane: R4.5m
Lebese: R3m fee, R3.5m
Otladisa R4m fee, R1m
Laffor: R3m
Masandawana here's the man traveling squad:#Sundowns #MTN8 pic.twitter.com/dmeNeq3kCB
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) August 25, 2018
With Mamelodi Sundowns’ #CAFCL exit, we may see some more transfer activity at Chloorkop before Friday...
— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann) August 29, 2018
There are players who were registered for CAF but aren’t necessarily needed now. Could be a loan/transfer or two on the cards.
Mamelodi Sundowns have nothing to worry about, transitions are always a rude awakening. TP Mazembe and Al Ahly just came back from slump after loosing the entire squads that help them dominate Africa. Rebuilding and integrating young players is a process that need sober minds.
— African Soccer Updates (@Africansoccerup) August 29, 2018
Mamelodi Sundowns fans must come to terms with this fact: Sundowns will never be the same without the services of Tau and Billiat. Mahlambi is nowhere near these two in terms of influence in the game. Khama & Tau would never warm the bench in Egypt. Never!
— Msangula, Dlukula, Mahlobo, Malandela. (@MathewsNtanzi) August 23, 2018
Disappointed Sundowns are out of the Caf Champions League in the groups. It's a reality top PSL players move to Europe, but it's unforgivable for Masandawana to lose these players to rivals, fail to replace them with similar quality & then think they can easily progress in Africa
— Ignat Football (@IgnatFootball) August 29, 2018