Mokwena responds to Middendorp’s comments on Picasso

After more than 13 years playing at professional level, Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele received only his second red card at this level on Tuesday night during a goalless draw against Maritzburg United at Orlando Stadium.

Jele became the second Pirates player to receive marching orders from the men in the middle in as many matches after Mthokozisi Dube was also sent-off for a second bookable offence against Kaizer Chiefs in the Telkom Knockout loss last weekend. Pirates coach Rhulani Mokoena says this Jele’s absence won’t affect his defense in the already sold out Soweto derby round two clash at FNB stadium on Saturday.

One of the challenges the Pirates technical team had last night was to make sure that the players’ mind was entirely on that game and not the round two of the Soweto derby. Mokwena says it’s always difficult to get this right.

Last weekend’s Soweto derby result was dominated by Mokwena likening the good play of his team’s football to the admiring of the Mona Lisa painting by Pablo Picasso.

Chiefs head coach Ernst Middendorp is said to have corrected him on social media this week on who the artist was, but Mokwena responded to him on Tuesday night. It is indeed becoming the Soweto derby of “Piccaso”.

Pirates multi-functional defender Ntsikelelo Nyauza has been one of the regular players at the back this season, moving between the right-back and the centre-back position at the club.

He’s also been praised by Mokwena after he ensured a third clean sheet for Bucs last night. – Report by Velile Mnyandu

Pablo Picasso Quotes 

• Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
• Everything you can imagine is real.
• Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.