Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena has explained the reasons behind his heated exchange with Orlando Pirates striker Kermit Erasmus on the touchline in the Carling Cup final at FNB Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Brazilians thrashed Pirates 4-0 to clinch their first Carling Cup title in the new format of four teams.
But the final encounter between the two giants of South African football was drama-filled as Tapelo Xoki was shown a red card after a horrible tackle on Haashim Domingo shortly after the 20th minute.
Understandably so, the Sundowns coach, Mokwena was not happy with Xoki’s challenge, and tempers flared as the Pirates defender was walking off the pitch to take an early shower.
However, what seemingly angered Mokwena the most was when Zakhele Lepasa applauded Xoki, who was about to head down the tunnel.
Erasmus, who joined Pirates recently from Sundowns, where he worked with Mokwena, was seen having a go at his former coach in Tshwane.
Mokwena was addressing Xoki for the career threatening tackle on Domingo when Erasmus stood up from the bench to throw what appeared to be harsh words towards the Downs coach.
RULANI DISSAPOINTED IN KERMIT
“It was very disappointing because the tackle was not something you want to see from an opponent; a career-threatening situation like that shouldn’t be applauded,” Mokwena told the media.
“It was disappointing, and I’m disappointed in how he [Erasmus] spoke to me. I just felt like I didn’t deserve that, especially from him.
“And maybe that’s why I feel at this moment bittersweet because I know what the club has done for him, and I know what I have personally done for him.
“I don’t want to sit here and speak about some of the things, but it’s okay, and I supposed that’s what life is about, so we take it on the chin, and we move,” added Mokwena.
The Tshwane giants on the day were dominant as they scored seven goals Mokwena’s troops were solid at the back as they didn’t concede any goal in two matches.
In their first game, they hammered AmaZulu 3-0 in the first semi-final of the day before making light work of Pirates to cap off what would be described as a ‘perfect day at the office.’
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