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JUST SAY SORRY, SLAVKO

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Bidvest Wits’ Slavko Damjanovic. Photo by Backpagepix.
Bidvest Wits’ Slavko Damjanovic. Photo by Backpagepix.

GOLDEN Arrows midfielder Siphelele Magubane says he holds no grudge against Bidvest Wits defender Slavko Damjanovic for a horrific “karate kick” tackle on him during their MTN8 match last week.

Magubane ended up unconscious in a dramatic top eight match which saw coaches Mandla Ncikazi, Clinton Larsen and Gavin Hunt all shown the exit.

The irresponsible challenge landed the 24-year-old in hospital but he was discharged the same night.

Now Magubane says he suffers from random headaches, especially when he is outdoors, which saw him miss training this week.

He will also miss Abafana Bes’thende’s first Absa Premiership match of the new campaign against Ajax Cape Town at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (8.15pm).

He will not be alone in watching from the stands, as he will be joined by Larsen and Ncikazi.

“I’m not holding a grudge against him,” said the forgiving Magubane.

“Such things happen in football. It’s part and parcel of the game. You know, I honestly don’t remember much about what happened.

“All I remember was I got a flick from (Lerato) Lamola and the next thing I’m in hospital. Our physio (Kyle Dougherty) told me I said I was fine and wanted to continue playing. And then I passed out.”

Magubane said, however, that it would have been nice if the Montenegrin showed some remorse and apologised to him.

Damjanovic, who was playing in his debut match for Wits, was sent off for his dangerous tackle.

Added Magubane: “An apology from him would go a long way. But his silence shows me that he is not sorry.

“Personally, I think he deserved the red card he received. You know, after getting my break in the first team late last season I set myself goals for this season. And it’s sad that I will miss out on the first match of the season. But I will bounce back and I’m positive the guys will return from Cape Town with a good result.”

  • Meanwhile, Ncikazi said he was optimistic they would collect three points against the Urban Warriors on Saturday.

Ncikazi and Larsen will serve suspensions of two weeks after they were sent off against Wits along with Danny Phiri and Siyabonga Dube.

This means they will miss two matches.

Said Ncikazi: “We are looking to start our campaign positively.”

He added that they had a plan in place to replace their two suspended players.

MultiChoice Diski Challenge team coach Vusumuzi “Kanu” Vilakazi is expected to sit on the bench for the matches against Ajax and against Bloemfontein Celtic next Wednesday.

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