DRAMA WINS THE DAY

As much as I love Mamelodi Sundowns, watching them play the kind of football they displayed on Saturday was disappointing. A lot still needs to done and we need to throw Phakamani Mahlambi into the deep end because Jeremy Brockie is wasting many chances. However, I will take a draw against Orlando Pirates. Ayanda Nofemela, via email I would like to commend both teams for the display they showed on Saturday afternoon, as they went pound-for-pound both on and off the field. The character showed by Rhulani Mokwena was uncalled for as he was busy shout- ing at Mamelodi Sundowns’ bench and went on to swear at the supporters. My advice to you, Rhulani: don’t burn your bridges. Roger Stemele, Alice It was so disappointing to see one of Mamelodi Sundowns’ supporters attacking Orlando Pirates assistant coach Rhulani Mokwena at Loftus Stadium on Saturday, for reasons only known to him. That was pure stupidity, if not childish. I hope the PSL metes out very heavy punishment at such bullies. Of course, we all know that Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane and Rhulani have their own issues after Bongani Zungu’s tweet, but he shouldn’t have tried to protect his supporter because that man was a danger to Rhulani. Pitso sometimes becomes too irresponsible as a leader. He (allegedly) punched a security officer while trying to take one of his team’s supporters out of the pitch when they drew 3-3 with AmaZulu, and now this. Yes, he’s a very good coach and no one can take that away from him, but I just wish he starts working on his behaviour because it will cost him a lot, including his dignity. I hope Rhulani could just let everything go and carry on doing what Pirates hired him to do. Letladi wa Ga-Mphahlele, Maralaleng The game between Bucs and Downs didn’t live up to the expectations prematch hype. As for that hooligan who was baying for Rhulani Mokwena’s blood, I believe the security personnel should have dealt with the incident better and prevented him before he went to Orlando Pirates’ technical area. Siyabonga Nkalambela, via email Whoever says we must not bring emotions into the lovely sport called soccer should think again. Everywhere there is money, emotions dominate. Supporters are spending their hard-earned money to watch matches and for a guy like Rhulani Mokwena, whom I used to respect a lot, to come and throw insults and provocative stunts at us and his former seniors, was uncalled for. This guy thinks he has made it in life and Micho (Milutin Sredojevic) needs to be careful of this behaviour because he will end up taking his job. He wants all the glory of the Pirates v Sundowns good showing to be showered at him, to the extent of using our former players to publicly undermine Pitso Mosimane’s credentials. He is too provocative and annoying. I was fuming as well and I don’t blame our supporter, even though that was not good behaviour on his part. Obakeng Bucs Nkadimang, Kuruman I was agitated by all that happened between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. Sundowns had no answers for Bucs, starting from our bus being refused entry at the gate, to their fans invading our technical area. But what takes the cake is how Gaston Sirino, whom I admired due to his style of play, turned my love into hate all within five minutes. He, together with Hlompho Kekana, was supposed to be red-carded due to the fouls on Xola Mlambo. Their coach indirectly admitted on national television that it was their game plan to kick him. I now agree that Pitso is not the astute coach that everyone thinks he is, hence

he surrounded himself with quality coaches like Manqoba Mngqithi to pick on their brains. Ag, sies, maan! Tshepo, Mahikeng If there is a rivalry in South African football, it must be the one between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. These are the only teams bearing a star above their chests in the whole of Southern Africa. After the 6-0 defeat at the hands of Sundowns, Pirates were intent on going all out, but Rhulani Mokwena didn’t help matters but only worsened the situation. The mind games started prior to the game. However, I hope Pirates will not be bothered as they prepare to take on Africa’s best and we all know that in Africa, it’s only going to get worse and one needs to be strong mentally. I digress. The game was a thriller. A tactical affair, if I may add. Both coaches did their homework and, in the end, a share of the spoils was a deserved result. Sundowns were supposed to wrap up the game in the first half, but unfortunately decision-making let them down, especially Jeremy Brockie. I was impressed by the fighting spirit of Gaston Sirino – he fought like a wounded lion in the middle of the park and, as a result, Bucs’ trusted lieutenants of Justin Shonga and Vincent Pule were substituted and Xola Mlambo was neutralised. The goalless score line was a true reflection of the game. My only disappointment was the pitch invasion by the Downs supporter, but that was ‘small waters’ compared to Bucs supporters running amok, destroying broadcasting equipment and denying Sundowns from scoring 10 goals against them at the same venue back in 2016/17. It’s only Kaizer Chiefs and Sundowns supporters who have been arrested in the past, but it seems Pirates fans are receiving special treatment from the PSL and the SAPS, despite cameras showing perpetrators live on television destroying everything and chasing players to the dressing room. Can you believe it? I commend Pitso Mosimane for protecting his own supporter. Anyway, Dr Irvin Khoza once said this clash is a Category B game. Aphane JM, Libangeni/Vaalbank, KwaNdebele

Mokoena, the General Jacob Sakala, Junior Khanye, Thabiso ‘Skaapie’ Malatsi, Steve Lekoelea, Jabu Pule (Mahlangu), Surprise Moriri, Moeneeb Josephs, etc. Please, I beg. Obakeng Nkadimang, Kuruman At the rate in which teams are sold and bought in the PSL and the NFD, one would swear that this clause, 14.3.4. “The acquirer must satisfy the Executive Committee of the future financial stability and the sustainability of the Member club,” does not exist in the NSL handbook. A minimum of 20 years to run a club before being sold should be added to this clause so that people must know what they get themselves into because at the end of all this the people who suffer are the supporters. It looks like some people get into football with the perception that there’s a lot of money in the game. Maybe there is if one does it right. Maybe interested parties wishing to own a club must consult John Comitis, never mind Kaizer Motaung and Irvin Khoza. Bloemfontein Celtic don’t deserve what they are going through, yet the results tell a different story, all thanks to Steve Khompela (contrary to how much I criticised him at Chiefs). Lucky Khunou, Meriting The Manchester Derby had proved to be yet another mouth-watering clash where both sets of teams tried to outplay each other in terms of which one was a better positioned outfit to outclass their neighbours. Manchester City were obviously not going to let the game slip through their fingers in their own backyard. Raheem Sterling, David Silva and Leroy Sane ran rampant against the out-of-sorts Manchester United. Phil Foden came into the fray and fitted in like a hand in glove. Pep Guardiola has never failed to make the teams that he has managed to play according to his philosophy. Man City were patient with the ball and to some extent looked too romantic and very pleasing to the eye. The 3-1 win showed that the blue side of Manchester walked out victorious and go into the international break at the summit of the EPL standings. Owen Mafukele, Nkuri-Tomu