Mosimane and Kerr trade barbs: 'Baroka breeds this kind of behaviour'

Baroka FC coach Dylan Kerr and his Mamelodi Sundowns counterpart Pitso Mosimane traded some barbs after the Limpopo club stymied the defending champions’ title charge.

Baroka put up a big fight in their 1-0 victory in Dobsonville on Sunday to move three points clear of relegation danger, while preventing Sundowns from opening a three-point lead of their won at the top over title rivals Kaizer Chiefs with two matches remaining.

Mosimane was far from impressed with how the Baroka players used time-delaying tactics to take the wind out of the Sundowns players’ wings towards the end of the match.

The Sundowns coach was particularly rubbed the wrong way with how the Baroka goalkeeper Ayanda Dlamini went down under a challenge and took time to get up on his feet with Sundowns chasing the match.

Dlamini appeared to be clutching to his upper leg in pain after going for a challenge in the air after a cross came into his box, as Mosimane was visibly frustrated in his technical area.

“You know, when times are like this I don’t like to make excuses. Everybody sees and you saw what happened. I thought Elvis Chipezeze [Baroka first-choice keeper, who was suspended for the match] is the master of these things [time-wasting tactics],” said Mosimane.

“I mean, Baroka is breeding these kinds of goalkeepers or behaviour. But it’s OK. We were holding on against Chiefs a few days ago [when Sundowns hung on for a tense 1-0 win]. We were holding on and did you see [Downs goalkeeper] Kennedy Mweene lying on the floor every time and doing that [wasting time]? No. We play proper. We play normal.

“Maybe Dylan [Baroka coach Kerr] can tell you how far the guy got injured.

“But it’s OK. I mean, we have seen a lot of these things in Africa [Caf Champions League], so why is Sundowns surprised?”

Mosimane said the Baroka bench was disrespectful towards his players on the pitch. But Kerr defended his goalkeeper Dlamini and said he has a youthful, inexperienced squad that should be forgiven for what seemed like over-the-top celebrations and remarks during and after the match.

“So I don’t think it was time wasting from Ayanda, and I explained that to Pitso after the match,” said Kerr.

“I mean, in football sometimes from time to time you have got to time manage the game. We were under a lot of pressure and Sundowns were a goal down. We didn’t keep the ball very well in the last 20 minutes but you can understand that from the youthfulness of my team. But we put in a shift and they all knew the importance of this game.”

There were constant heated exchanges between the Baroka and the Sundowns benches in the second half.

Kerr blamed the overzealousness of his squad on inexperience but said there is no place for disrespecting opponents.

“We have got a young, inexperienced squad. The boyfulness [sic] of my squad - they were all very excited, and they will learn and live from it.

“They just have to keep emotions to them[selves] or to the team or the dressing room - without disrespecting Pitso or Mamelodi Sundowns.”