Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has responded to criticism from Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos and TS Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic.
Ahead of the Carling Knockout final, the Rockets' coach had hit hard at Mokwena over what he described as 'disrespect' to TS Galaxy players and staff, in response to Mokwena's complaints of missing the majority of his players during a defeat to TS Galaxy in the first round of the same competition.
"When we won against Sundowns, what were the excuses from the [opposition] coach?" Ramovic said at the time.
"He didn't play with seven players, so where is the respect for the players who played? International players such as [Marcelo] Allende who they bought for R60 million and then they bought the guy from Stellenbosch (Junior Mendieta) — how much did they pay, R12 million?
"Then you had [Bongani] Zungu and you had a lot of other national players and you came up with an excuse to disrespect my staff, my players and myself.
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Meanwhile, Broos has been quoted by Belgian media accusing Mokwena of being 'a local Mourinho' and 'pretending to be God'.
"The coach of Sundowns, he is the local [José] Mourinho. He has won a lot of trophies, he pretends to be God and everyone listens to what he says," Broos was quoted ahead of the AFCON.
Speaking to journalists at pre-match press conference ahead of the Nedbank Cup Last 32 clash against La Masia on Monday, Mokwena revealed that he had called both Broos and Ramovic regarding their comments.
"I think my biggest problem is that I don't discuss quite a lot of these things that are said by my colleagues in the media. I don't go and have engagements with the media about them," Mokwena said.
"You are all familiar with some of the things that my colleague at TS Galaxy said and I picked up the phone and I called him directly and I raised my displeasure.
"There were things said by Hugo Broos and I picked up the phone and I called him directly and I raised my displeasure.
"What was said in those conversations is not for the public. If they feel that they've got to disclose that it's what they feel like. I'm not that type of person and I will not be directed into those type of situations.
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"First, I respect my family and I was raised in a certain way so when I sit in a public platform and I speak to the media I must also understand that I don't just represent myself.
"I represent my family and the upbringing and the education that they gave me and I also represent the football club and it's a club that has high moral standards.
"So it's important that when you were have that respect but just for yourself but you for the people who raised you and for the people who look after you and that you have the privilege to serve, then you've got to behave in a certain manner.
"I don't want to go into this space and in fact I'm one person that was taught to forgive even even the wrongs that are never apologised for and I'm that type of person, I move on very very quickly.
"But I address issues straight I don't go to the media I don't go and create a mudslinging I pick up the phone and I address those things.
"Fortunately Hugo Broos did apologise and explain what had happened but for me after that conversation we had on the phone before the AFCON. for me it was done."
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