AmaZulu FC coach Pablo Franco Martin delves into the aftermath of the team’s 1-1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs, shedding light on a contentious moment with the referee.
In a bid to crack the top eight, Usuthu faced off against Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday in the DStv Premiership, but ultimately settled for a 1-1 draw, leaving their aspirations hanging in the balance.
In the current league standings, Chiefs are eighth on 35 points while AmaZulu are 12th sitting with 33 points with two games remaining.
Martin expressed frustration over a potential penalty call that went unanswered late in the game, prompting him to engage in a cordial conversation with match referee Olani Jethro Kwinda.
“I was asking him about the handball at the end of the game… it looked like a clear penalty,” Martin revealed, emphasizing his concerns about the referee’s interpretation of the incident.
Despite the disappointment, Martin acknowledged the competitive nature of the match and the inevitability of human error, stating, “There were few more mistakes from all the sides… but when you respect each other… that’s all.”
Looking ahead, Martin remains optimistic about AmaZulu’s chances of breaking into the top eight with two games left in the season.
“We’ve already achieved… remaining in the PSL… and we’re still in the fight for the top eight,” he affirmed, highlighting the team’s resilience throughout the season.
Reflecting on their performance, Martin pointed out AmaZulu’s consistency across multiple competitions, citing their notable achievements in the Nedbank Cup and Carling Cup after a 13-year hiatus from the quarter-finals.
AmaZulu’s next challenge awaits them on May 18, as they prepare to take on Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, aiming to secure a crucial victory in their quest for a top-eight finish.