Al-Ahli Saudi head coach Pitso Mosimane has come to the defence of Sibusiso Vilakazi following comments made by TS Galaxy head coach Sead Ramovic over the midfielder's shock TS Galaxy exit.
It emerged recently that 'Vila' had parted ways with TS Galaxy, reportedly after a fallout with head coach Ramovic.
It also emerged that Vilakazi had been demoted to training with the club’s DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) team, alongside Aphelele Teto.
READ | Vilakazi, Galaxy part ways
When quizzed about the surprise departure of Vilakazi, Ramovic delivered a scathing assessment of the 33-year-old, suggesting that Vilakazi simply did not train well enough to feature for The Rockets.
"About Villa, fantastic player. Fantastic name, great career. But again, me as a coach, I don’t care about age. I don't care about names I just look at what I see on the field," Ramovic told journalists.
"If we have players on the field that give 100% everyday and train well, put a lot of effort. These player will play. The players that don't do their best everyday, will have a difficult time of course.
"I will be not smart enough if I just put a player on the field who didn’t show me during the week that he would like to play, or that I should put him in to play.
"How big is the chance that if you don’t train well, you will suddenly play well? I think it’s a small chance. Better to play with players that put in a lot of effort. The right attitude, great lifestyle.
[WATCH] We also asked about Sbu Vilakazi's early departure at @TSGALAXYFC , having learnt that he had also been demoted to train with the DDC before his exit at the club. HC Sead Ramovic...@SABC_Sport | #sabcsport411 pic.twitter.com/iC0qnyy5bA
— Velile Mnyandu ???? (@Velile_Mnyandu) February 10, 2023
Mosimane, who signed Vilakazi to former club Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016 took to social media to voice disagreement with the German coach’s assessment.
"I am absolutely dumbfounded by the tone of this interview," wrote Mosimane.
"I trained Sibusiso Vilakazi for many years competitively and consistently for [more than] +6 years. A true professional (on & off) [the pitch] who respects the game and coaches. Who knows sport science and game tactics, opinionated too.
"Vilakazi was also a coach in my dressing rom and inside the pitch. One of the players who kept the dressing room quiet but spoke football tactics all the time.
"He [Vilakazi] led the football conditioning training sessions which are usually very tough.
@Velile_Mnyandu I am dumbfounded by the tone of this interview.I trained @ValdezIsComin24 for many years competitively and consistently for +6 years, A true professional (on &off ) who respects the game and Coaches. Knows sports science and game tactics,opinionated too.
— Pitso Mosimane (@TheRealPitso) February 11, 2023
Meanwhile, Vilakazi’s agent Mika Makaab has dismissed suggestions of a fallout and insisted that player and club parted ways amicably.
You must be SIGNED IN to post and read comments.
Click here to register: https://www.snl24.com/auth/signin
