Kaizer Chiefs defender Daniel Cardoso has reacted to Orlando Pirates coach Rhulani Mokwena’s comments made after their most recent Soweto Derby.

The Buccaneers coach made headlines last week after accusing Amakhosi of showing ‘thuggish’ behaviour during Chiefs’ 3-2 victory over Pirates in the Soweto derby.

Mokwena also made commented directed towards Chiefs striker Bernard Parker, stating that the veteran striker found a swimming pool to dive into, which earned his side a penalty.

However, Cardoso has since hit back at Mokwena’s comments by saying: ‘You know‚ on that point‚ you saw the week before when we played the last derby in the Telkom‚ [Pirates forward] Thembinkosi Lorch stood on [Chiefs forward] Khama Billiat‚ nothing was said.

‘Rhulani didn’t have anything to say. I’m not bad-mouthing him but it works both ways.

‘I think he’s just a very emotional coach and obviously it’s a big derby and that. But it’s part of football.

‘We didn’t go out there to fight. I think it got blown out of proportion. Mathoho didn’t hit anybody. He pushed Abel Mabaso‚ and he fell.

‘But I think they [Pirates] are the ones who might be doing diving lessons and carrying on like there’s as pool on the floor or something.

‘But I think it was a very harsh decision from the ref [to only dismiss Mathoho]. It should have gone both ways. Pirates’ players also came in pushing us and we didn’t react like they did. So it’s one of those.’

Kaizer Chiefs will now face Maritzburg United in the Telkom Knockout Cup semi-final clash at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday with kick-off set for 3pm.