Chippa United’s co-coach Kwanele Kopo blamed Orlando Pirates’ coach Jose Riveiro of using abusive language during their Nedbank Cup semi-final on Saturday.
Kopo alleged that the Spanish coach made derogatory remarks, which resulted in Eva Nga’s red card, after leading The Buccaneers to their fourth successive cup final with a 3-1 victory at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The Chippa mentor said this was a first in his career.
“It’s a bit of a sensitive one because I’ve never been insulted by a colleague, and I think neither has Thabo [September, co-coach],” said Kopo.
Orlando Pirates Football Club commands huge respect due to its size, management, and chairman.
“The language used towards us today was inappropriate for football. It’s really sad that the match officials didn’t stop it, even though they saw the coach inciting Eva Nga. Kopo also criticized Riveiro’s character. However, he appreciated the fact that Mandla Ncikazi, the assistant coach of Pirates, was the only one from the technical team who showed remorse.”
“Some of us grew up in difficult political times, and you begin to ask yourself sometimes, ‘Am I being abused because I’m who I am, because I am the color I am?’ We don’t have issues with Orlando Pirates,” he added.
“I have huge respect for the coach of Orlando Pirates, he’s a very good coach, but today he’s left me with a lot of question marks. It’s not an excuse for the result, but it’s very, very bad for football.
“On the same note, I’d like to compliment Coach Mandla Ncikazi: at half-time, he came and apologized, and even after the game, he’s come and apologized.”
