Loftus hooligan arrested
PSL awaits report before taking action Off-field drama mars big PSL match
The fan who attacked Orlando Pirates assistant coach Rulani Mokwena during Saturday’s tempestuous Absa Premiership match against Mamelodi Sundowns has been arrested, the PSL has confirmed.
A fan clad in Sundowns colours appeared to attack Mokwena right on the Pirates bench before being pushed back by club officials and security, leading to a full-blown melee between the two benches as emotions ran high in the 0-0 drawn clash at Loftus Versfeld.
The attack on Mokwena, who used to work for Sundowns, was one of four off-thefield incidents that marred the drama-filled match.
It all started outside the stadium when Pirates’ team bus arrived and allegedly forced its way and parked in the bay allocated to Sundowns – a space allocated to coach Pitso Mosimane, at about 1.30pm. “I found Pirates’ bus parked where I park? They parked in my stadium, in my home. I found them parked in my space. What is this? I mean, really guys let’s be honest, this is Loftus, it’s not Orlando Stadium. I parked outside; is that a commotion?” said Mosimane, refuting claims that Sundowns blocked the visitors’ bus.
In pictures posted on social media, some Pirates officials could be seen trying to use the emergency gate instead of the main entrance, with claims that this had led to a scuffle. But the biggest talking point was when a Sundowns supporter confronted the Tshwane side’s former assistant coach, Mokwena. It appears that Mokwena used a hand gesture to dismiss the home supporters when they jeered him, which led to the fan confronting him on the bench.
“I saw one yellow person [a Sundowns supporter] with a lot of black and white [people dressed in Pirates colours], so I can’t let a yellow be swallowed. I must protect this yellow, and unfortunately I’m the nearest one,” explained Mosimane. League spokesperson Luxolo September condemned the incident, but refused to be drawn on suggestions that security was breached.
“We can’t cast any aspersions whatever happened, so let’s get the [match] report [to take the matter forward], but the one aspect of it is that what happened is unacceptable,” September told Sowetan. “You can’t get inside the pitch, first of all, and secondly, to get inside the technical area and try to attack someone .” Sundowns could face charges, including of failing to provide adequate security.
If Mamelodi Sundowns are to retain their Absa Premiership title, they would have to be very careful of Pirates. Also, no-one is going to write off teams like Bidvest Wits, who are one of the early pacesetters. Pirates, however, have demonstrated that they were not happy to be the bridesmaids last term and are desperate for the coveted trophy they last won six years ago. Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane admitted the Soweto side has a lot in their tank.
“I think we played well to be honest, but we played a very good team. We played a team that always dominates everybody and we did not want to allow that.
We pressed them from the top and we had to force [Pirates goalkeeper] Siyabonga Mpontshane to kick all the balls,” he said. Mosimane insisted that their plan worked because the long balls were cleared by their centre-backs Ricardo Nascimento and Mosa Lebusa, who are strong in the air. “They are so good when they gain momentum. You see how they’ve been beating people, but we didn’t want that. You make sure you look after important players and you know who are the important players ... Xola [Mlambo] and Ben Motshwari,” he said.
In a couple of incidents, Mlambo was kicked by Hlompho Kekana and Gaston Sirino but Mosimane insisted that the flying tackles were not a big deal. “Ah, it’s a big game, we gonna kick each other. It’s two bulls in one kraal. I can’t let my players be kicked and they don’t want their players to be kicked.”
Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic, meanwhile, is happy with his team’s progress and the way they played against the Tshwane side. “Under the circumstances, I’m satisfied with the commitment, dedication and hard work of the team,” said the Serbian after the 0-0 draw.