After Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena insinuated that TS Galaxy's head coach orchestrated the rough challenge on Bongani Zungu, fans took to Twitter/X to share their opinions on the matter.
Check it out!
What's the story?
Just when it looked like the tensions were easing between Rulani Mokwena and Sead Ramovic, the pot has been stirred again after the Sundowns boss showed his displeasure over the challenge on Zungu.
After the match, Rulani insinuated that Ramovic planned for Orebotse Mongae to deliberately hurt Zungu, as a sort of revenge mission after the leg-breaking tackle on Bernard Parker.
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Let's take a closer look...
Fans react to Rulani's view on Zungu's injury
After Downs' crushing 3-0 victory at home over Galaxy at Loftus Versfeld on Monday evening, moving within one result of clinching their seventh consecutive DStv Premiership title.
Goals came courtesy of a brace from Peter Shalulile and a 64-minute strike from Thembinkosi Lorch, but the drama came late in this encounter.
Zungu had to be substituted shortly after coming on as a replacement in Sundowns' victory over the Rockets. The substitution came in response to a harsh challenge by Mongae of Galaxy, resulting in a red card for the attacker in the 85th-minute.
In a post-match interview, Rulani expressed his disappointment, claiming that the tackle was premeditated. He alleged that Ramovic had instructed his players beforehand, reminding them of Zungu's leg-breaking challenge on Parker in October last year, during their dramatic Carling Knockout Cup meeting.
"I'm disappointed with the tackle on Bongani Zungu, very disappointed," Mokwena stated in an interview with SuperSport TV.
"I was informed last night that the opposition coach showed a clip of Zungu's tackle on Bernard Parker, telling his players, 'Don't forget what Bongani Zungu did.'
"I'm very disappointed because these incidents happen. I can tell you that Zungu's tackle could occur in any other match and under any circumstances," added Rulani.
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Here's the tackle:
INCASE YOU MISSED IT
— Rushsportson (@Rushsportson2) April 29, 2024
The referee showed TS Galaxy midfielder Mangae a red card after his career ending tackle forced Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Bongani Zungu limped off the pitch?? #Amakhosi4Life #OrlandoPirates #Sundowns Rulani Peter Shalulile Saleng Sirino Themba Zwane pic.twitter.com/q0QjHQbjTU
TS Galaxy has since responded to Mokwena's post-match interview, saying; "Mokwena lied blatantly through his teeth" and have challenged the Downs boss to prove his claim in the next 24 hours.
Take a look:
This situation has seen Zungu become a trending topic online, here are some of the standout reactions from fans on Twitter/X:
That tackle on Zungu yesterday, was there intention to play the ball? What was the body language of the Galaxy player when he received the red card? Did he show remorse? Is he going to apologize? Did he send Zungu a text?
— Sir Nungu (@NunguSompisi) April 30, 2024
?????? #Sundowns #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/jqJKNqlP5d
How did Rhulani get to know all this information about a revenge tackle from the incident of Bongani Zungu and Bernard Parker?
— m a s h è s h a ?? (@_mashesha) April 30, 2024
Does this mean they have a secret agent spying on their opponents? ??#Sundowns #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/ByxVqWP6nP
No one can tell me otherwise, this was a revenge challenge on Zungu.
— #YummyDaddy (@YummyDaddy07) April 29, 2024
Speedy recovery to you Bongs... pic.twitter.com/uFdYLfgbiS
That TS Galaxy player clapped hands after getting a red card walking down the tunnel.
— Kabelo_Moss. (@Kideo_Mah) April 29, 2024
Rulani has every reason to believe that nefarious player was acting on an instruction.
And I also personally believe the player was acting on Judas Escariot’s instructions to take out Zungu.
TS Galaxy coach plays a dirty game. He wanted revenge on Zungu for that Parker tackle last year. The man is evil
— Mo (@Mosky_Mothapo) April 29, 2024
As much as u can pity zungu. It serves him right, don't forget that his tackle on Parker was also intentional n he didn't even show any remorse,
— Tonny Mc'Vel ???? (@mkhabele_tonny) April 29, 2024
I just wish that other professional footballers can do him dirty till he retires pic.twitter.com/gzO4hEL3U5
Ts Galaxy Coach told his Players to kick Zungu I can tell
— K A B E L O M O L E K W A (@kabelomolekwa6) April 29, 2024
It's revenge time pic.twitter.com/Sstvyqluyq
Zungu leaving the injury list and returning to it again. pic.twitter.com/L4se6jcix5
— Tshemedi (@RealTshemedi) April 29, 2024
Mongae tackle to Zungu was part of football this thing yokuthi he was told by the coach is just nonsense, Rhulani mustn't bring phone call saga on the pitch pic.twitter.com/h7UIsA0C2E
— Sabelo (@sabelostorm) April 30, 2024
That TS Galaxy player clapped hands after getting a red card walking down the tunnel.
— Selfish_Vuyo (@thabigdreamer) April 29, 2024
Rulani has every reason to believe that nefarious player was acting on an instruction.
Zungu #Sundowns #DstvPrem pic.twitter.com/l7LoBfSEI3
The challenge on Zungu is personal, an instruction from the dressing room. Nevertheless, we move on, re square akere! #Sundowns #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/kHDUrL1GHz
— Brazilian ?? (@IERFRM) April 29, 2024
If that tackle was really premeditated it makes it ten times worse than Zungu's tackle on Parker. Mangae should be ashamed and if his coach really did what they say he did then he's a horrible person
— Nodibhoza Son of Bhojwana (@mshengulala) April 30, 2024
Unhappy by Bongani Zungu setback with another injury just as he was making his comeback.I've no doubt that he'll overcome this challenge just like in the past.Sending healing & wishing him speedy recovery & looking fwd to seeing him back on soon
— ????????????????? (@YELL0MAN) April 29, 2024
Take care????#Sundowns #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/pUBlcf161r
Obviously, that tackle on Bongani Zungu was revenge but we move. I hope it's not that bad. We will meet them again on the final day of the season ??.
— Son of A Gun?? ???? (@Lucky_Mthombeni) April 29, 2024
He was told about the tackle on Zungu and he was warned by Manqoba with a logic thinking , how do u defend this now???????? le ntwana inenza amamenemene https://t.co/KHkifbARLM
— Sira (@SIRA2037) April 30, 2024
What happened to Zungu is revenge man. Bo Phumudzo are saying the red is unfortunate. Imagine. Sies man.
— JigoBeth (@BethJigo99) April 29, 2024
This was not personal. This is a gentleman's game
— Bhala KaDududu (@TakaLilo04) April 29, 2024
We are not animals. We play the game # Zungu and Ronwen Williams pic.twitter.com/jD0sORatCi
Bongani Zungu was given the taste of his own medicine. Actually they did not even do shit to him. Nxa. ??????
— Boineelo Mohau Mokhobo (Pr Techni Eng) ? (@MokhoboMohau) April 30, 2024
Bo Zungu got injured at the wrong time of the season. What a player with high-end technique.
— Karabo (@Karabo_tjale) April 29, 2024
So someone was spying on TS Galaxy ? Who gave him this info ?
— Ringtone (@xola_ntshayza) April 29, 2024
Why would you go out of your way after winning to unnecessarily lie about such? Why play Zungu after you received that kind of info ?
“Winning the match n losing the press conference” has been a tendency now https://t.co/W4RAw6yc9u
So the coach confirmed he has a mole in the TS Galaxy team? Its unlikely the mole would only share about the video on tackle and not tactics. Does he only have a mole in the TS Galaxy team alone or with all other 14 teams as well? PSL must investigate this
— France Nxumalo (@francenxumalo) April 30, 2024
Why did he play him if he knew ??
— Monnapule Saleng Stan Account (@i_mqhedlana) April 29, 2024
Rulani confirming that theydo have spy's in all psl teams. We don't stand a chance in winning this ugly trophy pic.twitter.com/dggt4IeOsk
— Lekoh (@leko_selu) April 29, 2024
Have your say on Mongae's challenge on Zungu and Rulani's reaction to it...
Were Galaxy targeting Zungu as revenge for Parker's leg break?
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