‘I am so confused’ – Mohafe blasts MOTM choice after Chiefs stalemate

Polokwane City FC head coach Phuti Mohafe did not hold back after his side’s goalless draw against Kaizer Chiefs, launching a scathing critique of the decision to award Amakhosi midfielder Lebohang Maboe the Man of the Match accolade.

While the Betway Premiership result at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium successfully halted Chiefs’ rampaging five-game winning streak, Mohafe was left “bewildered” by the individual prize. The stalemate keeps Rise and Shine in seventh place with 34 points, while Chiefs remain third on 46 points.

MOHAFE FUMES AT ‘INVISIBLE’ MABOE AWARD: ‘HE WAS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN’

Mohafe argued that his tactical setup completely neutralised Maboe, making the midfielder’s selection for the award nonsensical in his eyes.

“I am so confused about how Maboe got the Man of the Match. I don’t know how he got it because he was nowhere to be seen on the field,” a frustrated Mohafe told the media. “Whenever he got the ball, we were there. We got most of the balls from him… so how can he be the Man of the Match when he was losing the balls?”

The Polokwane mentor insisted that his troops deserved more than a point, particularly after a dominant final quarter where they pinned the Soweto giants into their own half.

“We had the better opportunities to score. We created a lot of chances but continued to miss them, especially in the last 25 minutes where we were all over Chiefs,” Mohafe noted. “On the positive side, we defended well and didn’t concede.”

THE ‘REAL’ STANDOUTS IN THE CHIEFS GAME

Mohafe took the unusual step of naming three of his own players who he believed were far more deserving of the post-match recognition:

Manuel Kambala: For his relentless marking that “erased” Maboe from the game.

Tlou Nkwe: For his tireless and effective display at left-back.

Simon Ramabu: For his constant threat on the right wing that caused the Chiefs’ defense endless problems.

“We had Tlou on the left and Ramabu on the right; they both deserved it. Why not give them the Man of the Match?” Mohafe concluded.