Candid Polokwane coach rebukes players

FORTHRIGHT Polokwane City coach Luc Eymael directed a stinging salvo at some of his players and said they “defended like a small horse” in their defeat to Kaizer Chiefs in a pulsating league match at Soccer City on Sunday afternoon.

The unbelievably candid Eymael – who was appointed in July – did not mince his words after Chiefs beat City 3-2 in a five-goal thriller and said some of his charges really let him down.

The Belgian said he has told his players “more than 2 000 times” since joining the club to stop looking at him when the ball is crossed and to watch the ball instead.

He said this basic instruction was ignored.

He described Chiefs strongman Willard Katsande’s winning goal in stoppage time as an early Christmas present.

“The third goal was Happy Christmas before the date huh? How can my defender jump like a small horse over the ball? No‚” he said.

“It was 50/50 and he only had to put his foot in to put the ball away. I am sorry I am very disappointed because most of my players made a big effort to get this point.”

Eymael felt that City could have taken control of the game had they converted a penalty they were awarded by referee Victor Hlungwani after Katsande brought down Puleng Tlolane in the 23rd minute in the first half.

Striker Rodney Ramagalela’s shot was brilliantly saved by Chiefs goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo‚ who kept the visibly shaken hosts in the game.

City spurned several other opportunities that the Belgian felt would have given the visitors a more comfortable lead than the lone strike they managed to convert in the first half.

An incensed Eymael described the three goals his side conceded in the second half as gifts that should never have been.

“In the second half‚ for me the three goals were three gifts. Okay‚ it is normal because Steve is happy and it is a long time since he won a game.

“Me. I am not happy because the two crosses came from the wings.”