Mokwena accuses Cardoso of disrespect as Sundowns coach clears the air over touchline tiff

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Mokwena accuses Cardoso of disrespect as Sundowns coach clears the air over touchline tiff

MC Alger coach Rulani Mokwena has addressed what he felt was a disrespectful move from his Mamelodi Sundowns counterpart Miguel Cardoso during the two teams’ clash on Saturday.

Sundowns hosted MC Alger at Loftus Versfeld in a CAF Champions League match that they needed to win to advance to the quarter-final and they won 2-0 thanks to a brace from new signing Brayan Leon.

Meanwhile, Mokwena’s team, who needed just a draw to sail through, were dumped out but the ex-Sundowns coach felt disrespected when Cardoso celebrated one of his team’s two goals in front of his technical bench.

Rulani Mokwena confronts Mamelodi Sundowns bench.
Rulani Mokwena confronts Mamelodi Sundowns bench. Photo: iDiski Times

“If Rulani walked to that opposition area and it’s live on TV, believe me I know how many people would have made hullabaloo about that situation,” said Mokwena.

Mokwena insists Cardoso broke the rules

“The laws of the game prohibits any member of the technical team to go past fourth official and move across to the technical area of another team.

“If that’s not a clear sign of disrespecting opposition and the opposition’s technical staff, it’s a clear violation of not even CAF rules, but FIFA rules, it’s clear.”

Mokwena feels Cardoso behaved in a poor manner and did not set a great example when the rules of the game are very clear.

“It’s not a reflection on me, that question you should be asking to the person who left his technical area to go to the other technical area,” he added.

“And you have to find the reasons why that person did that and provoked because it’s a clear provocation. What’s the aim of that?

Miguel Cardoso Mamelodi Sundowns

What has the Sundowns coach said over the issue?

“I don’t think you saw me moving towards that and being involved in the handbags. You cannot say, Rulani was misbehaving, it’s impossible.”

However, Cardoso has denied disrespecting his opponent, saying it was a misunderstanding.

“I cannot get out of my zone often so the referee came to me and said; ‘please stay in your zone.’ He had me once and the second time I went to give instructions to the player…it is Champions League matches, nothing more,” Cardoso said.

“Not to create anything that does not exist. But expect a Champions League match to be emotional. Nothing more.” 

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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