‘The referees didn’t like us’

Most club owners were bitterly disppointed with officials last season, especially AmaZulu.

AMAZULU BOSS SANDILE ZUNGU QUESTIONS OFFICIALS

According to the outspoken Usuthu boss, the Durban giants did not deserve to finish in 11th position in the DStv Premiership.

“I speak with some authority when I say we played really well as a team, but we didn’t succeed because the referees didn’t like us most times. Some decisions were taken that impacted the result of the game,” the AmaZulu boss said as cited by SABC Sport.

“There was an incident where our goalkeeper was pushed, but the goal was allowed. There was also a player from an opponent that had a handball in the box and the referee didn’t make a decision. Instead of giving us a penalty, if we miss it, we miss it. But we have very sharp players, maybe this season we only missed one penalty. 

“There was also a situation where we were winning and our player got a red card, and we played with 10 men then the other team equalised.

The AmaZulu chairman added to say: “There was another situation where our player played a world-class tackle, but was given a red card and we played again with 10 men and the opponent scored, where I think we could have won the game or gotten a draw. 

“A lot of errors could be avoided because, now we can’t rely on analysis from Monday or Tuesday TV shows when they point out those mistakes because you’ve already lost three points.

“So, it will be better because VAR will change those decisions live and clarify if there is a penalty or not, whether there should be a red card given or not, during the 90 minutes,” Zungu concluded.

NJABULO NGCOBO

Staying with AmaZulu, the Durban giants are linked Kaizer Chiefs defender Njabulo Ngcobo. The 30-year-old player’s deal with Amakhosi is ending in 30 June.

According to the Amakhosi player’s agent, the former Uthongathi and Moroka Swallows player has begun to talk to AmaZulu, among other clubs.

“Kaizer Chiefs is a professional club, they communicate about their intentions. Unfortunately, they have not said anything about Njabulo Ngcobo,” the agent, Sboniso Ngubane told SABC Sport. “We are in talks with different clubs in the DStv Premiership, including AmaZulu FC,” he confirmed.

Should Ngcobo sign for AmaZulu, he would be returning to where it started. The player known as “Mapholoba” enjoyed his development years at Usuthu before moving to Richards Bay and Uthongathi.