Mokwena : ‘My reaction was towards Zakhele Lepasa’

Kermit Erasmus of Orlando Pirates exchange words with Rhulani Mokwena, Head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns during the 2022 Carling Black Label Cup final match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 12 November 2022 © Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix.

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has shed light on what caused a heated verbal exchange between him and Kermit Erasmus during the Carling Black Label Cup final. This happened after Tapelo Xoki was sent off for a malicious tackle on Haashim Domingo.

Mokwena says his reaction was towards Zakhele Lepasa who clapped for Xoki, and believes it seemed like he was complementing the unsporting behaviour of the defender. He says Erasmus then remonstrated.

“My reaction was not actually even to the tackle, but was towards Zakhele Lepasa who started clapping towards Xoki as if to encourage that type of behaviour,” Mokwena told Marawa Sports Worldwide.

“Funny enough, Zakhele Lepasa after the match came to me and said, ‘coach I apologise because I am a victim of a career threatening injury’.

“Kermit then remonstrated and said things towards me I felt I did not deserve, especially from Kermit, particularly with what we have been through.”

The Sundowns coach revealed that he spoke with Erasmus to clear up the air and they have put it in the past.

“To end it all, we exchanged texts yesterday [Sunday], we spoke about it and I think for me it’s one isolated incident. Afterwards I said to him, even at the end of our conversation, ‘love and light! I wish you love and light’,” he said.

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Rhulani Mokwena explains fiery Kermit Erasmus exchange

Kermit Erasmus of Orlando Pirates exchange words with Rhulani Mokwena, Head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns during the 2022 Carling Black Label Cup final match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 12 November 2022 © Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix.
Kermit Erasmus of Orlando Pirates exchange words with Rhulani Mokwena, Head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns during the 2022 Carling Black Label Cup final match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 12 November 2022 © Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix.