Mike Makaab, the agent of Andile Jali and Sipho Mbule, has revealed that both players have admitted there were some issues at the club but they have been sorted out, before commending Rulani Mokwena how he handled the situation.
There had been rumours in local media that Jali and Mbule arrived under the influence of alcohol to training at some point in recent weeks.
However, the club have not issued any official statement on the situation, while head coach Rulani stated he will not speak bad about his players and it is his duty to protect by the club and players.
On Monday, Makaab, who is the agent of both stars, has given his side of the story, saying he cannot comment much on the situation without knowing all details.
“My responsible comment was that until such time that the club has officially made a statement and has officially involved me in that statement, I can’t comment,” he told Simtho Dladla on Gagasi FM.
“Because all I’m going to comment about is what I’ve heard and what I’ve read.”
Makaab, though, continued and revealed that he has spoken briefly to both players, who admitted some sort of issue has happened but seems to be in past – before announcing he will have face-to-face talks with Jali, Mbule and also attempt to meet the club.
“Yes, I have and both players have elected to say very little, to say there has been one or two issues, but those issues have been sort out,” he stated.
“Let’s hope that a week down the line, this is a thing of the past. But I’m not at liberty to add fuel to the fire. I’m not going to do that. I’d rather focus on the positives of football.
“Whatever I have to do I’d rather to quietly behind the scenes. That I’ll do. I’ll have meetings with the players, just to get their side of the story.
“I’d also like to have a meeting with the football club. I didn’t want to disrupt them. Probably it’ll be next week because they have a very important Champions League game this weekend against Al Ahly.
“So, I will address it but it will be done in the right forum and once I’ve that discussion with the football club and the players, if I feel there’s anything I need to comment, I will. If not, I’ll focus on the way forward.”
– Advertisement –
Finally, Makaab also praised Mokwena for the way he has handled the situation after pointing out that people often forget that footballers are also humans, who come with imperfections, and not robots.
“But I do want to comment on Rulani’s statement and say that I applaud him,” he added.
“Because first and foremost he has to look after the football club, then he has to look after his players and then he talks about the human element being a footballer or a football coach.
“That’s incredibly wide and mature for a young man, because he is a young football coach.”
