What was a scintillating local derby between FC Buffalo and Tornado FC this past weekend ended up on a sour note when the latter’s coach, Orlando Pirates legend Jerry “Legs of Thunder” Sikhosana got embroiled in a physical confrontation that came close to being a fist fight with the former owner, Rodney Mashaya.
Sikhosana, in reference to the incident that saw scores of fans in attendance charging towards the field, believes the “worst could have happened but the least happened”.
The game was a dramatic affair from the onset with Sikhosana and Buffalo coach William Mugeyi seen having a go at each other on the sideline.
A few seconds before the final whistle, an allegedly “drunk” Mashaya invaded the pitch and, in reaction, Sikhosana with his technical team, charged towards Mashaya and pushed him to the ground.
Sikhosana believes his actions were justified because “you had a drunk chairman of the opponents invading the field to hold onto the ball while his team is winning and we are trailing while the game was approaching the end.”
The game was an emotionally charged affair both on and off the field from the bench of both teams to the fans who came out in their numbers.
An unhappy Sikhosana was seen throwing tantrums on the touchline, apparently angry at the referee’s decisions, most of which were against Tornado.
Mashaya said he was “wrongly assaulted” and believed there was nothing wrong with what he did.
“I was on my way to the toilet and I saw that the ball had gone out of the field and I was collecting it to throw it back onto the field but those Tornado boys thought I was using delaying tactics”, said Mashaya yesterday.
When asked if he was going to press charges since he was “wrongfully assaulted”, he said there was no need because emotions are bound to escalate during derby games.
Safa (SA Football Association) Eastern Cape Secretary, Isaac Klaas said there was “no report submitted so I can’t comment”.
Buffalo were dominant from the start while Tornado did not show. Kenny Ntlangephi netted the opener in the 30th minute and Buffalo were one goal in front at the interval.
Ten minutes into the second half Givemore Manwela curled the ball past a clowning Tornado goalkeeper to put his side 2-0 in front.
Tornado striker Thamsanqa Moni pulled one back for his side to make the score 2-1. However, Siphamandla Zaca then scored to extend Buffalo’s lead by two goals.
Ten minutes from the final whistle Moni scored a second for himself and Tornado.
Fired-up coaches let rip in derby
Sikhosana, in reference to the incident that saw scores of fans in attendance charging towards the field, believes the “worst could have happened but the least happened”.
The game was a dramatic affair from the onset with Sikhosana and Buffalo coach William Mugeyi seen having a go at each other on the sideline.
A few seconds before the final whistle, an allegedly “drunk” Mashaya invaded the pitch and, in reaction, Sikhosana with his technical team, charged towards Mashaya and pushed him to the ground.
Sikhosana believes his actions were justified because “you had a drunk chairman of the opponents invading the field to hold onto the ball while his team is winning and we are trailing while the game was approaching the end.”
The game was an emotionally charged affair both on and off the field from the bench of both teams to the fans who came out in their numbers.
An unhappy Sikhosana was seen throwing tantrums on the touchline, apparently angry at the referee’s decisions, most of which were against Tornado.
Mashaya said he was “wrongly assaulted” and believed there was nothing wrong with what he did.
“I was on my way to the toilet and I saw that the ball had gone out of the field and I was collecting it to throw it back onto the field but those Tornado boys thought I was using delaying tactics”, said Mashaya yesterday.
When asked if he was going to press charges since he was “wrongfully assaulted”, he said there was no need because emotions are bound to escalate during derby games.
Safa (SA Football Association) Eastern Cape Secretary, Isaac Klaas said there was “no report submitted so I can’t comment”.
Buffalo were dominant from the start while Tornado did not show. Kenny Ntlangephi netted the opener in the 30th minute and Buffalo were one goal in front at the interval.
Ten minutes into the second half Givemore Manwela curled the ball past a clowning Tornado goalkeeper to put his side 2-0 in front.
Tornado striker Thamsanqa Moni pulled one back for his side to make the score 2-1. However, Siphamandla Zaca then scored to extend Buffalo’s lead by two goals.
Ten minutes from the final whistle Moni scored a second for himself and Tornado.
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