Fresh off officiating at the recent FIFA World Cup in Qatar, South African referee Victor Gomes has been nominated for a top award. Photo: Steve Haag/BackpagePix
Pitso Mosimane vs Victor Gomes: From ‘bitter rivals’ to ‘buddies’
Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane has described his relationship with referee Victor Gomes as healthy so much so that they have become ‘buddies’.
Fresh off officiating at the recent FIFA World Cup in Qatar, South African referee Victor Gomes has been nominated for a top award. Photo: Steve Haag/BackpagePix
Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane has described his relationship with referee Victor Gomes as healthy so much so that they have become ‘buddies’.
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Mosimane had a long love-hate relationship with Gomes during his time with Mamelodi Sundowns as he often criticised the referee’s decisions.
However, the duo have put their differences aside as they continue to being the South African flag-bearers on the African continent.
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Mosimane is doing wonders with Al Ahly while Gomes is trusted with officiating and handling high-profile fixtures on the African continent by CAF.
In early February, Gomes was tasked with officiating the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Senegal and Egypt.
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A few days later, Mosimane won his second successive bronze medal at the FIFA Club World Cup with Al Ahly.
And Mosimane said he bumps into Gomes almost every time, be it on flights or on the pitch when he officiates Al Ahly matches.
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PITSO AND GOMES ARE NEW BUDDIES
“We have gone through teething stages — it’s normal in football. And you know me — especially when I lose, I’m not a nice guy to be with,” Mosimane said as per Sowetan.
“And he understands that — it’s OK. I always hear people say, ‘Pitso is a bad loser’. OK, who is a good loser?
“That coach who loses and he’s smiling on TV so he must be humble and people can say he’s a decent guy. But I lost the match, sorry,” he said.
“I really love to win, I hate losing, and I’d rather be that guy who everyone says I’m a bad loser, but I’m not going to pretend and put on a show and a happy face on TV. So, I must show my modesty.
“But we come far with Victor. We’re buddies now. Because now we wear the same flag in the continent.”
“We meet all the time. We meet on flights, we meet everywhere. And not just in the continent — we meet in the Gulf area. They have done very well, him and Zakhele. And I talk to Zakhele all the time.
“For me, Victor Gomes is No.1 on the continent. And if he is No.1, I thought I would see him and Zakhele at the World Cup.
“Well done to Victor, and I’m happy Safa created a platform to really acknowledge them. Safa must boast about their products at international level,” added Mosimane.
