Mamelodi Sundowns first-team coach Steve Komphela has slammed Al Ahly players for taking their silver medals off immediately after receiving them following their CAF Champions League final defeat.
The Club of the century were beaten 2-0 on the night thanks to a brace from Zouhair El Moutaraji as they failed to complete their Champions League treble.
And the disappointment of many Ahly players showed after they were seen pulling their runners-up medals off their necks before leaving the stage – something which clearly did not sit right with Komphela.
“It’s so disgusting watching players given medals and disrespectfully pulling them out of their necks,” he said on social media. “Lack of respect. Class? No matter how you feel, you must always maintain class, dignity and respect. So sad.”
When being reminded that Al Ahly are not the first to take the medals off, but also superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi showed similar antics, Komphela continued his stance that it’s disrespectful to the opponents and the competition.
“I get you TATA. We cannot accept disrespect because it is practiced all over TATA. Still though, it remains low. It shouldn’t be a norm,” he continued in response to a comment. “Take it off as you leave the podium. We understand disappointment but show respect.”
