Da Gama was asked if he is disappointed that Mothobi Mvala has scored seven goals in 16 appearances this season and he compared his midfielder’s tally to that of Brockie, who has scored just one league goal for the defending Absa Premiership champions.
“His goal return is not disappointing, especially since he missed out on two games against Pirates. If his return is disappointing, then what about Jeremy Brockie? They paid R8-million for him. How many has he scored?" Da Gama said after the game at Makhulong Stadium on Tuesday night.
The following day, however, Da Gama apologised.
“It was in no disrespect to Brockie. He is a wonderful player. I think he is a great goal scorer and he proved that at SuperSport and he is still proving himself at Sundowns. It was just a light-hearted comment when somebody said ‘are you disappointed in Mvala having scored seven goals in 17 matches?’ He [Mvala] is a midfielder, not a striker. And then I just compared him. I mentioned Brockie, but I mentioned others. I mentioned [Gaston] Sirino also. I mean these are players Sundowns spent big money on and he has scored more goals than them.
“I was just trying to give a comparison, no disrespect to the players. It was meant in no disrespect to Brockie and I would like to apologise, but it was not meant in that way.”