Kaizer Chiefs defender Daniel Cardoso has hit back at claims by Orlando Pirates interim coach Rhulani Mokwena that Amakhosi used “thuggish” behaviour in the recent Soweto derby that was played earlier this month.
Mokwena was livid after his team lost 3-2 to their fierce rivals in a PSL clash played before the international break at the FNB Stadium, accusing Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp of encouraging his players to fight.
Tempers flared towards the end of the game as Amakhosi defender Eric Mathoho was shown a red card for shoving Abel Mabaso in the face.
Cardoso, who was speaking to reporters ahead of the Telkom Knockout semifinal against Maritzburg United on Sunday, hit back at Mokwena saying the Pirates mentor must keep own players in check.
In the previous derby this season, a Telkom Knockout last eight clash played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium a week before the league encounter, Pirates winger Thembinkosi Lorch fouled Khama Billiat before stamping on him only to receive a yellow card.
Cardoso said: “If you look at the week before we played the derby and Lorch stood on Khama and nothing was said.
“Rhulani didn’t have anything to say. I am not bad-mouthing him or anything, but it works both ways.
“I think he is an emotional coach and obviously it was a big derby.
“But it’s part of football. We didn’t go out to fight, I think it got blown out of proportion.”
While Mathoho is banned for this weekend’s cup game against the Team of Choice, Kaizer Chiefs will also be without goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi and midfielder Willard Katsande due to suspension.