AmaZulu coach Pablo Franco Martin has stuck by his point that his side were robbed against Mamelodi Sundowns and previous matches ahead of their clash against Sekhukhune United on Wednesday.
In the last three matches in all competitions – against Stellenbosch, TS Galaxy in the Carling Knockout Cup semi-final, and Sundowns, in which Usuthu lost them all at home, Martin said the results should have been in his side’s favor. Still, referees saw it differently, amongst other things.
Martin, on Monday, was jovial unlike when the feelings were raw when AmaZulu lost to Sundowns at King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday last week.
Hendrick Ekstein appeared to be onside when he finished off from close range in the second half against Rulani Mokwena’s side. But referee Thabo Mkhabela chalked it off, penalizing Ekstein for being offside along with second assistant Kgara Mokoena, raising a fury out of Martin after the game.
“We are losing the games and, on the paper after the games, I don’t feel like we are losing and that is the reality,” said Martin.
“Against Sundowns, for me, as I said, we won the game. But someone decided that we are losing. Against TS Galaxy (in the Carling Knockout Cup) semi-final, it was the same situation.
“There are things that we cannot control. Against Stellenbosch FC, we lost, and you see they were in the same position as us. They have won three games in a row and that is our objective now in the last part of the year and are in the final (of the Carling Cup).
“And we were superior in the most phases of the game – we created most chances, their goalkeeper was man of the match
“Yes, we lost three games on paper, not deserving any of them in terms of football, in terms of goal scoring chances or conceded, and the factors that we cannot control like referees.
“We probably would have been in the final and counting many points in the league. But this is what it is, I cannot worry about things that we cannot control.”
Usuthu host Lehlohonolo Seema’s Sekhukhune, who have won the last two league matches under the former Golden Arrows coach, at King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday (19:00).
This is the second game Usuthu will play away from their own venue – Moses Mabhida Stadium – as it is being repaired for the Carling Cup final on Saturday and this past weekend it hosted a musical concert of Bebe Winans.
AmaZulu, lying 14th in the DStv Premiership table with 15 points after 13 matches, is set to be without striker Augustine Kwem, who appeared to have picked up a foot injury, having missed the loss against Sundowns.
