Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi says Gaston Sirino declaring his admiration for Al Ahly has not been appropriate behaviour.
In the build-up to their first leg CAF Champions League quarter-final with the African champions in Cairo, the Sundowns playmaker, who was subject of interest from Ahly and Pitso Mosimane, issued a surprising statement to the media.
Speaking to Sky Sports Arabia the Uruguayan said it would be a 'great challenge' if he could wear the Al Ahly shirt one day in reference to their previous failed attempts to sign him.
It was also reported that Sirino was pictured wearing the Red Devils shirt after their 2-0 defeat at Al-Salam Stadium last Saturday which is said to have ruffled a few feathers.
While Mngqithi acknowledged that it wasn't the ideal conduct of any player associated with the 2019/20 domestic treble winners, he's aware that the player could still be a match-winner against the Red Devils.
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"I would prefer not to comment on that because I think it's outside the parameters of what I would have appreciated talking about," he said in the pre-match press conference.
"But you're right I don't think it was appropriate for him to do that. It's something I don't really want to dwell on this much at this stage. I want to focus on winning the match and not on all the negatives that might affect us.
"The same player I could say something negative about him now and come Saturday he makes us win the match - what would you say after?"
Sirino has scored 29 goals and registered 32 assists in 122 games for the Brazilians since his arrival from Bolívar in January 2018.