Baroka players in action against Polokwane City Image :PSL
JOHANNESBURG – POLOKWANE City coach, Nkueni Mayala, has reignited the furore around showboating in the local game after such extravagant conduct took the gloss off their first victory in the Multichoice Diski Challenge.
While it had the fans in the stands enthralled, Mayala voiced his displeasure.
The Polokwane side had ended their winless streak in the reserve league. The win came at their tenth attempt, against struggling neighbours Baroka FC at the Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni on Sunday.
“We didn’t start well to be honest but we managed to regroup and eventually won the match. We scored five goals and I am happy with this win because it is our first win,” said Mayala.
His mood changed moments later as he criticised what is a divisive aspect in the local game-showboating.
“What I was not happy with was the funny things they did at the end because I feel that we could have scored more goals.”
Showboating is a divisive issue in South African football with its proponents arguing it adds entertainment and brings fans to the stadium in a country suffering from fan apathy.
However, critics denounce it as unprofessional citing Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) Laws of the Game citing it as a bookable offence.
In October, Baroka player Sipho Moeti was cautioned for showboating against Platinum Stars in a match his side won 3-1.
Meanwhile, after the derby loss to Polokwane in Multichoice Diski Challenge, Baroka coach, Ronald Mphahlele, was left ruing another outing without a win.
Like Mayala he also had a go at his players.
“This is a big problem. In football, you need to win games, there is no good development without winning. I don’t know why players do not follow instructions. We had a game plan but unfortunately it did not work,” said Mpahlele.
Baroka are bottom of the 16-team reserve league.
– Guardian
