THEY SAID IT... Coach Rulani Mokwena after Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a draw at home by Orlando Pirates in the DStv Premiership last weekend. Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro on what’s needed when playing champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
“I didn’t like the 90 minutes. I think for a game of football, you need three good teams. And I think there were three teams that were below par today. Of course, one of them being mine. And when my team is not playing well, and hasn’t played well, I am the first of course that needs to be accountable for that. I don’t think that was a good game of football. In my opinion far too many off-theball incidents. And I don’t think the referee had control of the game either. But, I don’t talk about referees so the least I say the better.”
“Like a Brunello di Montalcino or a Sassicaia, he has returned fresh in mind and legs after five months of injury. His contribution is something exceptional.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola compares Kevin De Bruyne to the finest wines.
“Sundowns conceded three goals in 14 league games. You don’t concede only three goals because you are nice. We always talk about them when they are attacking. But defending, they are a very committed side and with their players, there is not only technical talent but there’s conditional and physical talent as well. So, if we don’t go in with the same intention, there’s no chance because football is a game of contact. If you want to really compete with these guys, you have to play at the same level and at least ask questions of them.”
“We’re all in it together. We’re going to act as if it’s a blip. We’ve had some great results, we’ve had a poor result, so we need to bounce back and we need to show it. I’m looking for- ward to seeing the attitude of the players, the commitment that they show.”
West Ham manager David Moyes after the Hammers conceded 11 goals in their last three games.
“His performances never lived up to what we hoped from him. He took the piss out of us for two years - boo him.”
Ex-Paris St Germain player Jerome Roth- en urging Parisians to give Lionel Messi a “hot welcome” if he plays in the Olympics this year.