Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena has responded to suggestions midfielder Teboho Mokoena is "targeted" after Andile Jali was red-carded for a tackle on his former player.
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Moroka Swallows midfielder Jali, formerly with Sundowns, was red-carded early in the game against the Tshwane giants in the MTN8 quarter-final clash for a lunging tackle on Mokoena, whom he competed with for the same position at the Brazilians.
Jali was the second player to get a red-card for a dangerous tackle on Mokoena this season, after Sekhukhune United attacker Vusimuzi Mncube was also dismissed for a bad challenge on the former Footballer of the Season in the opening league game.
There has been suggestions that Mokoena seems to be targeted and Mokwena alluded that the former SuperSport United midfielder winning the Footballer of the Season award last season, where there was a lot of noise about who actually deserved the award, could have something to do with it.
"Tebza targeted? I don't know. I'm not sure, my feeling could be misguiding. Maybe it has to do with the noise that happened when he was awarded the Footballer of the Season, there was a lot said about it and maybe the reaction is a little bit in that space, I don't know," Mokwena said in the press conference on the weekend.
"But what do they say about 'heavy is the head that carries the crown', unfortunately it's the price of the tag of being Footballer of the Season.
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"He has to find ways and we'll help him to find ways but also maybe (it is) good that the officials are also clamping down on it, good to see also protection from referees," he said.
Sundowns will be back in action on Tuesday evening when they host Golden Arrows at Lucas Moripe Stadium in the DStv Premiership.
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