MC Alger head coach Rulani Mokwena has quashed the notion that he’s spied on Mamelodi Sundowns through leaked tactical information from suspended analyst Mario Masha.
Sundowns suspended long-serving analyst Masha last week in the wake of an internal investigation where he was accused of leaking tactical information to former head coach Rulani Mokwena, now in charge of MC Alger.
This followed with Masandawana’s Miguel Cardoso giving a cryptic statement about a ‘fair’ game against the Algerian giants in the group finale, where the winner will advance to the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League.
Mokwena, when asked directly if he’s been spying on Sundowns ahead of his return to Loftus Versfeld said in a prepared speech that he did not receive ‘any tactical or confidential information about Sundowns’ – but was sharing old work with Masha as they embark on a coaching course together.
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He went on to state that it’s unethical that personal messages from someone’s devices where shared and made public and illegal by South African law.
“Mario has not given me any any tactical or confidential information about Sundowns. The conversations referenced were professional football discussions, some personal relating to his UEFA licenses,” he said.
“He asked me to help him share through different methodologies, previous work done together at Mamelodi Sundowns and different tactical ideas that include European examples, such as those from Manchester City.
“At no point, and I repeat, at no point, were current Sundowns, tactical plans or confidential material shared with me. I rob Mario is a great man, someone I consider a friend, a former colleague, but above all, a hard working professional and a family man.
“I would never ask him to compromise his integrity for me. I would never ask anyone to risk their career for a competitive advantage.”
The two sides do battle on Saturday afternoon at Loftus Versfeld with kickoff scheduled for 15h00.
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