Chippa United coach Kwanele Kopo has accused an Orlando Pirates coach of racial abuse. The Chilli Boys coach said a coach without saying whether it was the head coach Jose Riveiro or one of his assistants. The incident happened during the Sea Robbers’ 3-1 win in the Nedbank Cup at the Nelson Mandela Bay.The win, which was a sixth straight victory for the Buccaneers, has sealed a place in the upcoming 2024 Nedbank Cup final. Orlando Pirates will play the winner between Stellenbosch FC and Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday.
But it’s ok, we move on, we are all coaches. We know when people are under pressure. But we don’t want to say certain things…it’s not nice. Some of us grew up in a difficult time in South Africa, and when you consistently use a certain language towards us, it drives us up. So that’s the disappointing part for me. That’s what makes us angry. Even for the referees, when people of a certain colour or language use abusive language, it seems like it is acceptable in South Africa but I think we need to overcome that,” Kopo added with his complaint towards the unnamed Orlando Pirates coach.
Note: Riveiro’s Spanish assistant Sergio Almenara is one of the possible persons of a ‘certain colour or language’ that Kopo is referring to, as is the fitness trainer Helmi Gueldich from Tunisia.
Moving on, Orlando Pirates will shift focus to the DStv Premiership. The Sea Robbers will host the same Chippa United in the league next Wednesday. The game will kick off at 19:30 from the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
The Soweto giants are chasing second place to qualify for the CAF Champions League next season. Stellenbosch FC are currently in second position with three points ahead of the Buccaneers and with four games left
