- Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena says the antics of TS Galaxy's opponents have drawn attention.
- RAmović claims Mokwena lied about a conversation he had with Hugo Blues last year and that he was threatened, fueling a war of words between the two players with the German manager accusing Mokwena.
- Mokwena seemed unfazed by the antics, instead concentrating on the club's win over Usuthu on Tuesday to extend their unbeaten run to 40 games.
- For more sports news, visit the News24 Sport front page.
Rulani Mokwena was calm, thoughtful and even empathetic when speaking about TS Galaxy coach Syed Ramovic, who has been involved in a one-sided feud with the Mamelodi Sundowns coach.
Last week, while Mokwena was in Mauritania and the Brazilian players were preparing for their match against FC Nouadhibou in the CAF Champions League, the Germans The coach was approaching him as he prepared for it. Galaxy's Nedbank Cup efforts.
Ramovic told reporters that Mokwena had lied about his conversation with Bafana coach Hugo Bruce and that when he spoke about his phone call with him, the Sundowns coach did not speak up about the content of the call. said.
Ramovic taunted Mokwena, accusing him of threatening the TS Galaxy coach by saying: “Who the hell are you to come to my shitty country and talk like this? Do you know who I am?” What about my parents? This is my shitty country, so be careful what you say. ”
The Rockets coach has quickly become very friendly and friendly in the soccer coaching arena since chief provocateur Pitso Mosimane packed his bags and tongues when he moved first to Egypt and then to Saudi Arabia. This added fuel to what is becoming one of the fiercest competitions. , then visit the United Arab Emirates and then return to Saudi Arabia.
While Ramovic continues his rivalry with Mokwena, the current DStv Premiership Coach of the Season did not play in front of the gallery as he was criticized for his opponents' recent salvos. This quelled the flames.
Instead, Mokwena described Ramovic's antics as a cry for attention, saying that all the finalist who lost in a curling knockout wants is praise and the large amount of South African media that Ramovic would have wanted. He said that he could not get any praise from him.
Read | Soccer, F-bombs, and the Ramovic-Mokwena feud: “Do you know who my parents are?”
“Everyone was waiting, some were.” [of you] I couldn't wait. The next day you called me. no! You were taken advantage of. You were used to it,'' Mokwena said before the start of Tuesday night's post-match press conference after beating AmaZulu 3-0 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, extending the club's unbeaten run to 40 games. Ta.
Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro scored all three goals as Sundowns maintained their advantage over Usuthu.
“What do we want? We want more. We want more wins, more passes, more chances, more pressing. Everything is to go a little bit further. The season It's not over yet. I'm listening to what[Arsenal manager Mikel]Arteta said about a player who played 70 games,” Mokwena said.
“If you look at where we are after 16 games in the league so far, that's exactly the case.” [and all the other games we have played in all competitions] And if you throw in the Bafana game, you're skating over 40 games that some players have played. It requires a lot of good spirit, a very good lifestyle and a lot of sacrifice. A lot of credit and credit has to go to the players. They are very, very good people. ”
When Mokwena was finally asked what Ramovic said about himself, he was ready to address it.
“You don’t need to hear my side of the story,” Mokwena began.
“I don't think you want to hear my side of the story. Look, let's leave it like this. He's right. He's right! Leave it alone that he's right. I'm wrong.” I'm a bad person.''
But when pressed, he elaborated on the issue as Sundowns are scheduled to visit Mbombela's Galaxy on March 6.
“If I have to say something to Sead, I will pick up the phone again and say it over the phone,” Mokwena said.
“I don't think it's for the public because I'm going to be going places I'm not supposed to go. I don't care when he comes to pick me up. There are a lot of coaches who have picked me up. There is.”
“But, when he started talking, [to say] The fact that the club spent so much money would also belittle the Motsepe family, whose family puts a lot of their hard-earned money into football and many other things.
“You saw the other day they announced they funded academics in lieu of tertiary debt. And then you come and tell stories like that. Sometimes, as coaches, we have very We have to be very careful and very careful.”
“It's very difficult, because I can sit here and say about TS Galaxy, so why should I say about TS Galaxy? And forget it's not even Sead's club, It's Tim Skadi's club and I have a lot of respect for Tim Skadi.”
“I can't sit here and say anything else about the club.”
Mokwena added: “There are many things I can say about the club. I went back to the recording that I received from Soccer Laduma and said there was a recording during the meeting and what was said there.”
“It would be very easy to get into that space, but I can't get into that space because I have to respect South Africans and the people who work so hard to run football clubs.
“Seed, that's all he's crying about – and I don't know why you guys aren't hearing the underlying message – that's all he's crying about. [is] Guys, he's on a five-game winning streak, so keep an eye on him. Please praise him! He wants attention. The man is pleading. The man complains, “He's won five games in a row and no one talks about it.''
“Put him in the headlines. Why not? No, he told you. He has eight assists as a left-back. Give him what he wants, because if you don't give it to him, he'll go looking for it. He'll come looking for people like me. All right, no problem. Give him the headline. Please give him the headline.”
“He wants attention. You know what he's doing? He's screaming for attention. So give him a little bit. Spend more time with him. . Link him to the club… He wants it, guys, give him everything ”. ”
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When asked whether the two would shake hands if they met, Mokwena was candid.
“If he wants to shake hands with me, I'll shake hands with him. Of course, no problem!”
The Brazilian's next assignment will be on Saturday in the Champions League against TP Mazembe, with both teams battling to top their group and both progressing to the last 16.
