AmaZulu coach Brandon Truter says match referee Victor Gomes has a tendency to want to control everything even when it is unnecessary.
Truter was unhappy with the officiating of Gomes, who was in charge of the MTN8 semi final first leg between AmaZulu and Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Sunday that ended 1-1.
Usuthu had three men sent off in the match – defender Veluyeke Zulu was sent off in the 54th minute, while Gabadinho Mhango was sent off after he was substituted. Usuthu also saw their goalkeeper coach Johan Abselon red carded.
Coach Truter was also cautioned, with the former Swallows coach insisting that “I don’t know why” he was booked.
“When Victor is in charge, there is always spectacle around, always,” Truter said after the game.
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“He sent Keagan Buchanan off the pitch because of a broken sock. While Keagan is off the pitch, George Maluleka is down. So I’m shouting at George because if you want to get treatment you have to get off the pitch, that is the rule.
“Then I’m two men down and then I’m shouting at George to get up and he books me. I don’t know why. So we are not allowed to coach, we are not allowed to speak to players. [If] he wants to control everything, let him control everything then.
“Gabadinho Mhango didn’t deserve to be sent off. The [fourth] official told him to put on the shirt and he delayed, delayed, then the red card. Come on.
“Zulu, it was a soft red card. So I don’t want to speculate or comment or anything but it was blatant for everyone to see.”
Truter is the not the first coach to accuse Gomes of wanting to be at the centre of attention, with former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane, who had a lot of runs-in with Gomes, also saying the same thing and so was Roger de Sa.
Meanwhile, the two sides will meet again in the second leg on 23 October at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, the venue that will also host the final on 5 November.
With the goal advantage, Usuthu know that a goalless draw in that match will be enough to see them reach their first ever MTN8 final in the PSL era.
Story by Robin-Duke Madlala (@duke_robin).
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