Orlando Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasa has stated that he was consoling Tapelo Xoki and not encouraging any violent conduct in the Carling Black Label Cup final.
Xoki was sent off for a horror tackle on Haashim Domingo, which upset Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena, who clashed with the Pirates bench, including Lepasa and Kermit Erasmus.
Sundowns went on to win the final 4-0 after Pirates were reduced to ten men.
During an interview with Robert Marawa this week, Mokwena had said he was incensed by what he perceived as Lepasa encouraging Xoki, before revealing he and the player had spoken after the game.
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Now Lepasa has clarified the situation further, stating he was consoling his teammate.
“I would like to put it on record that I did not encourage my teammate Tapelo Xoki for kicking an opponent,” Lepasa said on social media.
“It is factually incorrect to suggest that I – or any of my teammates at that, would do that.
“I stood up to console my teammate because I know how important this game was to him.
“I understand that football is an emotional game and at the time everyone’s emotions were high.
“But I know for a fact that his act was not intentional. I would like to wish Domingo a speedy recovery and all the best for the future.”
The Pirates forward is currently in camp with Bafana Bafana as they prepare to play Mozambique and Angola in international friendlies this week.
