Head coach Rulani Mokwena has expressed his disappointment with he described as 'personal attacks' on midfielder Bongani Zungu following an on-field incident that led to TS Galaxy's Bernard Parker suffering a horrific injury.
The Downs midfielder has received pent of backlash across social media after seemingly protesting against being shown a red card for his leg-breaking tackle on Parker in the last 16 of the Carling Knockout.
READ | 'He acted like a spoiled brat!' - fans react to Bongani Zungu horror tackle
Speaking on SNAWA on Wednesday, Mokwena said although he does not condone the tackle, he was disappointed with of backlash the 31-year-old midfielder has endured.
"The football club, the technical team, the management, the Motsepe family, the supporters, we wish him [Parker] a speedy recovery and our hearts and our prayers go to him and to his family for strength over what will be of course a very difficult period," Mokwena said.
"You don't ever wanted to see a football player getting injured and especially like that and so for sure the starting point has to be that, before we even discuss the incident itself, I think that has to be the starting point to wish Bernard a speedy recovery.
?? R???? C??R?? ??Bongani Zungu got sent off for a nasty challenge on Bernard Parker.???? ???????????? 2??1? ???????????????? ?????????????????? LIVE?? SABC Radio Stations#SABCSportFootball #CarlingKnockout pic.twitter.com/rKZrrhk16H
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) October 18, 2023
"Bernard? I tried to call him myself I couldn't get hold of him I sent him a text wishing him well and I arranged the package personally, you know the get-well packages that are full of chocolates and these type of things to show remorse but also to say we are with you and we understand.
"I do know for a fact because I've had a discussion with Bongani Zungu, and I have seen him throughout the week, how dejected really how it has affected him because I know 100% he is not a malicious person.
"He is not a player that is a you could go out to intentionally harm and maybe even compromise the career of another footballer because he's experienced something very similar.
"If you remember just before he left Sundowns he got injured against Maritzburg and I was still assistant coach at that time and he got a very very severe injury and so he's been on the receiving side of something similar.
"So I know how Bongz has felt and I know that Bongz has done his best to reach out to Benard and even to a point where I have instructed him especially go and pay a visit and try to extend his well wishes and but also his expresses remorse.
I'm a football fan before I'm Mamelodi Sundowns fan, that nasty challenge by Bongani Zungu was reckless and this Bongani Zungu is inhumane and he is arrogant. pic.twitter.com/ktF5aq89kR
— Real Rendani?? (@MagoshaRendani) October 19, 2023
"Therefore what did surprise me a lot was how it was over exaggerated. I've seen so many [similar injuries] I've seen it Dillon Shephard incident break his leg into two pieces, I've seen even with me as a coach, I've seen Hashim Domingo.
"Let's not also go into a direction immediately of saying maybe he (Zungu) didn't feel remorse but maybe Bongz' understanding was: 'my intention was just to go for the ball.'
ALSO READ | Zungu could be charged
"We sit here because we've got the benefit of hindsight, we don't have the benefit of being in Bongani's position at that time, understanding the intensity the tempo, the grass, the direction the ball come into the speed at which he was charging towards, we don't have that.
Even after seeing the mess he's made, he acted like a spoiled brat!Throwing tantrums and protesting. Teboho Mokwena got away with a similar challenge on Saleng. This Bongani Zungu should be given a ban. His reaction showed he doesn't care. He is even weak, Sundowns won't… pic.twitter.com/x1dgluazhT
— El Capitano? (@_izodlalaiTv) October 19, 2023
"I don't want to sound like I am condoning the tackle because we are not those type of people. I know Bongz also personally I've known him for many years he is not that type of person but I'm not protecting him and I'm not condoning the tackle, but I also know that football is a contact sport and like in many others [sports].
"I was watching yesterday the training session of the of the springboks and I'm saw how Siya Kolisi has a has a knee that is heavily strapped, he could hardly move.
"I think I understand that contact sports unfortunately come with the risk of many such injuries and it was just unfortunate.
"What did disappoint me was how people, I think went even on a personal attack to Bongani Zungu and I thought that it's a little bit unfair."
Sundowns take on Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the African Super League on Sunday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Kick-off is at 15:30.
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