Luc Eymael, Head coach of Free State Stars and Rantsi Mokoena, general manager of Free State Stars at Stars Academy, Bethlehem (Frikkie Kapp/BackpagePix)
Luc Eymael believes it is unfair to complain about Makhehleni Makhaula and Paulus Masehe’s style of play.
Makhaula broke Joseph Molangoane’s leg in an MTN8 quarter-final match last month where Stars lost to Kaizer Chiefs.
Masehe came under fire for his strong challenge on Cape Town City’s Ronald Putsche.
“Was Makhaula punished (for his leg-breaking tackle of Molangoane)? No,” Eymael was quoted by SowetanLive.
“The referee saw that it was unintentional. It is the nature of football. I think people are being unfair on my players.”
Eymael said strong tackles were part of the game as his players had been on the receiving end of the bone-crunching challenges.
“When Makhaula was injured by a Bidvest Wits player in a dangerous tackle last season nobody said anything. You can criticise but these things also happen to my players.
“Even Masehe on Putsche was a 50/50 challenge.”
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