The players were red-carded in the game against Alex United and Mokoena refused to give their names.
One of the players was sent off for a bad tackle and the other for using foul language on the bench. “I have a duty to protect my players and will not give their names,” said Mokoena.
He said he was not at liberty to discuss the matter about the referee’s decisions as he might be called before a disciplinary committee by the league. The two players will be suspended for two matches.
Asked whether he would make any significant changes to the team for the upcoming game on 23 May seeing that it was hammered 8-1 by United, Mokoena was adamant nothing would change. “I will not make any changes but come Saturday tables will be turned.”
His counterpart at United, Tracy-Lee Pepper was confident her boys would bring back the three points when the teams meet again on Saturday. “I am not looking forward to anything less than a win,” she said. “We will bring back the three points with no doubt. The league this year belongs to us.”
United has been on a roll, with a winning streak of seven matches in a row and talk is already high that they are destined for promotional play-off for the National First Division if they are crowned champions of the ABC Motsepe League.
Asked how she managed to keep the boys motivated after such a winning streak, Pepper said it was difficult, but she gave the players ample rest after every match. “I give them enough rest after every match in order to rest their nerves to ensure mental fatigue does not creep in.”
She was quite pleased with the performance of the team despite being without more than five of her regulars who were out due to injuries. “I am more than happy with the team’s performance though most of regulars players are on an injury list, and I still manage to get eight goals in one match.”
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