Marumo Gallants head coach Dan Malesela has expressed his displeasure with the conduct of the Polokwane City FC ball boys.
One of the ball boys was verbally attacked by the Gallants bench after what looked like he was hiding a ball during the Betway Premiership clash at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday.
At the time Polokwane City were leading 1-0 with a few minutes remaining. It is also the second incident involving a ‘Rise and Shine’ ball boy.
During their match against Kaizer Chiefs, some of the Amakhosi fans reacted angrily after a ball boy did the same trick. Malesela says those who are teaching the ball boys to perform the tricks should not be proud.
DAN MALESELA RAISES CONCERN OVER WASTING TIME TRICKS
“This is just people being silly. I wouldn’t call myself a good father if I teach kids to do things like that,” he said.
“Sometimes, we take certain things very lightly. You are teaching this child to cheat. Now, this child will start cheating at school as well. Where does cheating lead to? Stealing because you are stealing from the game.
“You are stealing minutes from the game that are valuable to the supporters of football. People pay their money not to watch all these shenanigans and nonsense that are being taught to our kids,” he added.
“These kids are probably going to be footballers one day. Will they want this to happen? If you are an adult, you must be careful about what you are teaching your child to do. These are our kids.
“Let’s groom them very well. Let’s teach them to be fair in life. The game must not be a win at all costs and you do the wrong things. Win at all costs, yes, but do the right things.”
PHUTI MOHAFE COMES TO THE DEFENSE OF POLOKWANE CITY BALL BOYS
Polokwane City coach Phuti Mohafe also shared the same sentiments with his counterpart. But Mohafe defends the ball boy, saying his behaviour was not deliberate.
“I don’t think that was deliberate. If that was deliberate, then he has to account,” said Mohafe.
“We can not have this kind of situation whereby the opponents come to your home ground, and they suffer for the balls. We must play fair. In that moment and situation, we just need to call them into order.”
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