Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena accused TS Galaxy players of targeting Bongani Zungu, claiming they were shown a video of Zungu’s tackle that injured Bernard Parker earlier this season.

Zungu’s tackle on Parker in October’s Carling Knockout Cup first-round match resulted in a broken foot for the Galaxy player. This incident, along with the postponement of the originally scheduled November league fixture due to Sundowns’ African Football League involvement, created tension between the two teams’ coaches, Sead Ramovic of Galaxy and Mokwena.

Following Monday’s league meeting, the first between the two sides this season, Mokwena expressed his disappointment with a tackle on Zungu. He revealed in a post-match interview on SuperSport TV that he was informed Galaxy coach Ramovic had shown the Parker tackle video to his players, implying they should retaliate.

“I’m very disappointed with the tackle on Bongani Zungu,” Mokwena stated. “I was told last night that the opposition coach showed the tackle Zungu made on Bernard Parker, essentially saying, ‘Don’t forget what Bongani Zungu did.'”

Mokwena emphasized that such tackles are accidental and can occur in any game. He cited the example of Abubeker Nasir, a Sundowns player still recovering from an injury sustained against Orlando Pirates last season.

“These things happen,” Mokwena continued. “I’ve seen worse tackles. We forgive and move on because it’s a contact sport. But intentionally injuring players (and using such tactics) is disappointing at a professional level.”

Sundowns’ victory over Galaxy puts them in a position to potentially win the league title as early as Wednesday, depending on Stellenbosch’s result against Golden Arrows. Galaxy and Sundowns will meet again in their final match of the season on 28 May at Mbombela Stadium, after all other teams have completed their campaigns.

Picture courtesy of CAF