Amazulu coach feels hard-done-by after ref’s calls in semi-final

AmaZulu head coach Pablo Franco Martin has been left red-faced and was unhappy about various game-changing refereeing decisions that contributed to his side’s elimination from the Carling Knockout Cup.

On Sunday, Usuthu and TS Galaxy produced a thrilling five-goal blockbuster in the semi-finals of the competition, however, it was The Rockets that managed to edge it and booked their place in the final.

The Mpumalanga-based outfit will return to Durban for the deciding match against Stellenbosch at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on December 16.

Galaxy scored inside two minutes in the encounter before doubling their advantage 24 minutes later through a controversial penalty that was converted by Brazilian midfielder Higor Vidal.

The referee on the day, Masixole Bambiso surprisingly pointed to the spot after AmaZulu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa was adjudged to have tripped Galaxy striker Lehlohonolo Mojela. And midway through the second half, with Usuthu two goals down, Bambiso waved off the loud shouts of the home contingent as Mobara’s pass bounced off the hand of defender Solomon Letsoenyo inside the box.

🐉🟢⚪️ || @FrancoMPablo says we did not play our best football in the #CarlingKnockout semi-final at Moses Mabhida Stadium yesterday 💬

READ MORE: https://t.co/uOJEYIaTFy 🔗#Indlulamithi#HebeUsuthu#UsuthuTogether pic.twitter.com/RdqQ1yRUTZ

— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) December 4, 2023

The Spanish-born mentor, although critical of his side’s own frailties on the day, felt the two decisions had affected the final result for his side.

Martin also opened up about a conversation that he had with the fourth official Eugene Mdluli, who confirmed that the hosts had been hard done by.

“I couldn’t double-check myself but the fourth official said they had checked and it’s not a penalty,” he said.

He added: “There is a very clear penalty. I have already watched it after the game, the handball is very clear and that could’ve changed the game with those two penalty decisions.”

AmaZulu’s demons in front of goal from a few months ago returned to the fore once again as they created numerous chances to level the tie at crucial times but failed to convert them.

The likes of midfielder Pule Ekstein and defenders Riaan Hanamub, as well as Taariq Fielies during set pieces, were guilty of failing to find the back of the net from close range.

Martin refused to single out his side’s inaccuracy in front of goals as the sole reason behind the team’s loss on the day but rather expressed displeasure in the overall performance in attack and defence.

“I’m disappointed about the game. The game isn’t only about scoring goals, it’s also about not conceding and both scoring and conceding are part of many circumstances, not just about the one that gets the last touch or the last block,” he explained.

Usuthu will need to quickly move on from this disappointing result as they return to DStv Premiership action in midweek against Mamelodi Sundowns.

Martin felt the short turnaround time and the prospect of facing difficult opposition might just make his job of re-energising his troops that much easier.

“Every player wants to play against Sundowns and that means I will not need to say anything special to the players,” he said.