PITSO VS MARAWA RELOADED

Angry Downs' coach feels anchor snubbed him at post-match interview

THE Teletubbies drama between Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane and sports anchor Robert Marawa played itself out this week.

Sunday World learned Mosimane rejected Marawa ’ s invite for an interview on Metro FM sports show 083 Sports@6 with Robert Marawa on Thursday night.

That ’ s because the coach was retaliating against Marawa for snubbing him at the Telkom Knockout final post-match interview at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday night.

Marawa was then forced to interview Mosimane ’ s assistant coach Rhulani Mokoena on radio after the former Bafana Bafana mentor gave him the cold shoulder.

At the stadium, Mosimane, whose team trounced Kaizer Chiefs 3-1 to clinch the trophy, was interviewed by Marawa ’ s colleague Phumlani Msibi.

Msibi then announced that he was handing over the ropes to Marawa to interview Chiefs ’ coach Steve Khompela.

Usually one anchor interviews both coaches.

But the latest Tinky Winky episode between the two happened, despite suggestions by Marawa ’ s boss at SuperSport, Imtiaz Patel, that they would not tolerate personal grudges on their TV shows.

SuperSport spokesman Clinton van der Berg said: “There is no issue. As per the producer ’ s discretion... Robert was assigned Chiefs and Phumlani was assigned Sundowns. Any suggestion of anything improper with this arrangement is mischievous.”

Sundowns spokesman Thulani Thuswa confirmed Mosimane was invited by Metro FM, but did not honour the invite.

“The coach was not well, that ’ s why we sent Rhulani and the players to the interview,” he said.

SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago confirmed Mosimane failed to pitch up for the interview.

“The SABC invited him via the team,” said Kganyago. “They came back and said he was not available and that Rhulani and the players would attend the show.”

But sources at both the SABC and SuperSport maintain the beef between the two men runs deep and will not end any time soon.

Their beef, according to one SABC insider, started in 2010 when Mosimane took over as Bafana Bafana coach and fired Marawa ’ s sister Gugu from the national team.

She was the assistant team manager.

According to a source at SuperSport: “Marawa ’ s producer Beverly Maphangwa extended the invite to Mosimane . She sent it to the club ’ s communication team. But Mosimane told the communication team he was not interested because of how he was treated at the post-match interview on Wednesday. He was right. Since when does SuperSport use two anchors in post-match interviews?

“This was a ruse to protect Marawa ’ s shenanigans. This is childish and somebody must stop it.”

Another tipster, a Mamelodi Sundowns club official who did not want to be named, confirmed Mosimane was pissed off with how Marawa treated him on Wednesday.

“It was choreographed to make sure Robert does not interview Pitso,” said the official.

“This was meant to embarrass him [Pitso].

“After refusing to go to the interview, we sent our goalkeeper and coach Rhulani Mokoena to represent the club.”