Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Lovers Mohlala has lashed out at Bongani Zungu's critics, speaking exclusively to the Siya crew, following last night's leg break incident at the Mbombela Stadium.
Social media has been a hive of activity since last night after veteran striker Bernard Parker broke a leg from a Zungu challenge during the Carling Knockout Cup Last 16 match between TS Galaxy and Mamelodi Sundowns.
While Sundowns coach Rulani Mokweni did wish Parker a speedy recovery after the match, some social media critics have demanded a public apology from Zungu but Mohlala says the midfielder isn't obligated to issue any to 'armchairs.'
The Good
"Was Zungu given a platform to apologise? He doesn't have to do it on social media, was he given such a platform? It could have been after the game through an interview. But at the same time, football is football and what happened there happened to me also when I was still playing. After the game, the referee said to me, "I never thought it was so bad." I am sure that when Zungu got into that tackle, the intention was not to hurt Parker," said Mohlala.
The Bad
"In football, such things can happen in a split second but at the end of the day social media is full of people who just talk and do not understand football. People who played football do understand that such things do happen. South African people analyse football on social media. Yes, the tackle was bad but there was nothing deliberate about it. If someone had called Zungu and showed him the replays of the incident as he walking off the field after getting a red card, he would have gone back to say, 'Sorry guys, I apologise.' People on social media are saying he should have apologised, but at what time?" he asks.
The Ugly
"What happened there happens in football. It doesn't start with Zungu and Parker and it won't end with them. People who talk on social media are armchairs and they don't even go to the stadium to watch football. You must differentiate between social media and football. Social media doesn't play football but people on social media speak more than those who played football. It is good that we never had social media when I was still playing football and we were free from these experts. That was an unfortunate incident and especially for Parker at his age. If the supporters were talking about this I would understand, but here we are talking about armchairs. They are good on social media and not at going to the stadium," added Mohlala.
"I am not saying Zungu must not apologise"
"At the end of the day, it was not a nice feeling to see that happening to a player and I am sure where Zungu is, he remorseful. But he doesn't owe social media any apology. He needs to apologise to Parker. He might have already called Parker by now to explain to him that what he did wasn't deliberate. I was tackled and I think by Robert Nauseb or someone and I had a plaster cast applied on me but nobody came to apologise. I am not saying that Zungu must not go and apologise. Guys, we are employed and Zungu was doing a job for Sundowns and Parker doing a job for TS Galaxy but I don't think there is anyone who goes onto the field to break someone else's leg. I wish Parker a speedy recovery. I really hope that Zungu and Parker do understand each other unlike what's being said on social media," concluded Mohlala.
Which are some of the worst football injuries that come to mind for you?
