Al Ahly head coach Pitso Mosimane has defended his players after they were seen taking their medals off straight after the CAF Champions League final and confirmed he gave his own medal away.
The Club of the century lost the CAF Champions League final 2-0 to Wydad Athletic Club on Monday, in Casablanca, Morocco.
After the match, several Al Ahly stars were seen taking their medals off, which has sparked outrage among football fans, with Mamelodi Sundowns first team coach Steve Komphela calling the behaviour “disgusting”.
However, Mosimane has defended his players and said he gave his own silver medal to a photographer.
“I don’t play for silver medals, I play for gold,” he told Andile Ncube during a live interview on SABC Sport.
“Don’t give me a silver medal, I don’t want it. I took my silver medal off, I gave it to the photographer.”
When asked why he and the players were reacting like this and not respecting the medals more, Mosimane blamed CAF’s decision to host the final at Wydad’s home ground, the Stade Mohamed V.
“Have you understood why? Where was the final played? In Morocco. Where did the CAF president put the final, where and when was that decision made,” he responded.
“You can’t tell me, I must tell my players to keep their medals.
“You know me I’m direct, I speak to the relevant person, direct. It’s not for public, it’s not for media, I tell you straight.
“Look at the podium, I was speaking to the podium. Normally I go there, I take my medal and I walk away.
“This time I was speaking to them. I spoke to FIFA and I spoke to CAF, because I speak my mind. You might not like me, but don’t dim my light. Be fair.
“If I want to the third Champions League, I work for it, don’t dim my light. Be fair, be good because everybody can see and the world can see.”
Story by David Kappel.
Mosimane Gives CAFCL Medal Away
