It started with what seemed a fairly harmless question in a press conference.
It seems even when one is framing questions to also in some manner play diplomat, when it comes to Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos and his Mamelodi Sundowns counterpart Rulani Mokwena, things can still go pear-shaped.
The question came in Mokwena’s Nedbank Cup press conference at the Premier Soccer League (PSL) offices a fortnight ago. The gist of it was, given Broos had made conciliatory and complimentary statements about the Sundowns boss in a round-table with soccer writers a few days earlier, would Mokwena put past reported rash statements by the Bafana boss behind him and agree to meet Broos?
Given he is the coach of the biggest club in the country, which had eight players in the starting line-up as Broos steered Bafana to the Africa Cup of Nations bronze medal in Ivory Coast last month, would it not be mutually beneficial to both coaches and their clubs to establish a cordial relationship?
If Broos said some things and Mokwena said some things and Ramović stoked the fire, how much does it really matter?
Did the sometimes harsh statements — made by both sides, but particularly those attributed to Broos before the Nations Cup in January — not make a meeting seem a more appealing idea? It could be a chance to thrash it out in a rational manner and dispel the misconceptions Mokwena and his Bafana counterpart seem to have formed of each other.
Mokwena, in his initial reply, chose to focus on one aspect of the question: the rash statements Broos was quoted as saying in the Belgian press in January. These allegedly included saying Mokwena “is the local Mourinho” who “pretends to be God”.
Mokwena did not answer the whole question.
He seemed to get a bit worked up stressing that when coaches make statements about him that sound like attacks — they do sometimes — he calls them directly. He made an example of TS Galaxy boss Sead Ramović, who Mokwena said he called and the German apologised. The Sundowns coach said the same happened with Broos.
In the same way that this was a case of Mokwena missing the full question, it also seems to be how these two coaches frustratingly seem to keep missing each other in meaning.
Pressed later on his way out of the press conference on whether he thinks he can make peace with Broos, and both he and the Bafana coach could benefit from a meeting of minds, Mokwena encouragingly said he thought he could.
Too late, though — the emotional part had been said, and it set off something of a mini-hurricane, though actually some of it could more favourably be compared to a letting off of wind. Because then in strode the blustering tones of Ramović.
The 44-year-old well-travelled former goalkeeper — who played in 14 leagues, including in Germany, Norway and Turkey — can be something of an oddity. His penchant for picking unwise fights was displayed when he once had a “twar” with no less than Pitso Mosimane over rash statements about both coaches’ former player Sibusiso Vilakazi. He has done fairly well with limited resources at Galaxy, a club where owner Tim Sukazi at one stage had problems paying players. Few coaches last two-and-a-half years at a PSL club. Galaxy ended 10th last season and are in seventh this campaign.
The day after Mokwena’s “Broos and Ramović apologised” claim, an incensed Ramović arrived at the PSL offices for another Nedbank presser, for which he apparently was not on the list, and proceeded to drop F-bombs detailing an alleged phone call he received from the Downs coach. He alleged he never apologised. He also alleged, on behalf of Broos, claiming he had permission to do so, the Bafana coach also never apologised.
This is not a story about Ramović, but since he’s injected himself into it, let’s make one or two points here. Mokwena last week continued the saga saying Ramović is “looking for attention”. The original statements Ramović made in November seem to back up that allegation. The coach said of Mokwena, “a strong coach does not make excuses”.
He was apparently incensed Mokwena, after Galaxy beat Sundowns on penalties in the Carling Knockout a month earlier, referred to his team missing seven players due to a clash with a Bafana friendly away to Ivory Coast. It seemed petty. Mokwena was being factual.
Also, if there was a call from the Sundowns coach, and some swearing and shouting was involved, well, don’t these things happen? Without access to the full conversation it’s not possible to know who provoked who.
But enough about Ramović and the wind. The upshot of so many gusts of gusto is Broos and Mokwena are no closer. Sources have revealed Broos might not have apologised to Mokwena and Ramović’s account that the Bafana coach only sent a message saying he was misquoted is fairly accurate.
Wow, what a long-winded story of accusations and counteraccusations amid the mudslinging to get to that point. This is the life of a South African football writer: deciphering the outbreaks of outbursts seemingly motivated by rivalries, envy and jealousy.
These coaches are aware they don’t exist in a bubble, right? It can help to get along.
If Broos said some things and Mokwena said some things and Ramović stoked the fire, how much does it really matter? It seems to the benefit of everyone that Sundowns and Bafana and Broos and Mokwena get together, get to know each other and maybe even get to like each other a bit, and develop mutual respect.
Bafana are putting Sundowns players in a big shop window, made better by the team performing well. Sundowns’ professional environment in which the cream of South Africa’s talent can flourish is benefiting Bafana. They should talk. Talking never killed anyone.
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