Benni McCarthy is interviewed.
PHOTO: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency/ANA
Benni McCarthy calls Bafana star out on “disrespectful” Tweet
A rather ill-advised Tweet from Bafana star, Bongani Zungu has caught the wrath of Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy.
Benni McCarthy is interviewed.
PHOTO: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency/ANA
Bafana Bafana midfielder Bongani Zungu’s compliment to Orlando Pirates assistant coach Rulani Mokwena does not seem to have gone down well in SA football circles, and one of the biggest names in the local game has slammed the former Mamelodi Sundowns man for his “disrespectful” remark.
As the Buccaneers registered yet another victory to climb up to the top of the PSL log by beating Polokwane City 2-1 last night, Zungu – now playing for SC Amiens in the French top flight – took to Twitter as he credited the Soweto giants’ resurgence to head coach Milutin Sredojevic’s assistant.
“Coach Rhulani has made Pirates a top team again! @coach_rulani u the boss,” the 26-year-old said in a since-deleted Tweet.
While it may have been seen to be a straight compliment to Mokwena – who mentored him during his time at the Pretoria outfit – many of his followers did not see it as such. Instead, it was interpreted as a swipe at the Serb, which prompted Zungu to call for backup in the form of Keegan Dolly – a former teammate at Sundowns – where he claimed the Pirates assistant coach was also the driving force behind their success.
Benni McCarthy unimpressed by Bongani Zungu Tweets
Enter Bafana legend and Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy, who called the player out for what he saw as respect to, not only Sredojevic, but also Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane, who he played under ahead of his move to Europe, where he started out for Portuguese side Guimaraes before his move to the Ligue 1 strugglers.
Wow didn’t expect u to have so little class my man @BonganiZungu08 disrespectful to coach Pitso for building your career so that you can succeed in Europe now you pushing assistant coach rulani to be the brains behind Pirates success,wow????Friends or not some respect Son ????
— Benni McCarthy (@bennimccarthy17) November 7, 2018
Following the intense backlash over the remarks, Zungu later issued out an apology, stating that he was merely expressing excitement over the good results enjoyed by Orlando Pirates, a club he grew up supporting.
— Bongani Zungu (@BonganiZungu08) November 7, 2018
Bongani Zungu has made 24 appearances for Bafana and has been out of action since the start of the season after suffering a knee injury.
Watch: Orlando Pirates: Rulani Mokwena tells Micho Sredojevic “no”
