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AmaZulu coach takes issue with referees after Downs loss

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DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 06: Pablo Franco Martin, head coach of AmaZulu FC during the DStv Premiership match between AmaZulu FC and Mamelodi Sundowns at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on December 06, 2023 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 06: Pablo Franco Martin, head coach of AmaZulu FC during the DStv Premiership match between AmaZulu FC and Mamelodi Sundowns at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on December 06, 2023 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)

AmaZulu head coach Pablo Franco Martin took issue with the referees after his side's 1-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns.

Usuthu conceded a penalty midway into the first stanza that was buried by Lucas Ribeiro Costa, and after conceding the penalty, they had a great response throughout the game.

Usuthu had a goal disallowed in the closing stages after Hendrick Ekstein was adjudged to have been offside before slotting a shot past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in the box.

READ | Sundowns extend winning record thanks to Ribeiro

Martin suggested that they were actually denied a win against Sundowns by the match officials, as decisions did not go their favour.

"It's not only about fighting, it's also about playing good football. I think today AmaZulu beat the best team in Africa but four people decided opposite," Martin said on SuperSport TV.

"I don't agree (that the goal was offside), even in the first-half the last 25 minutes, we controlled the game, we created many chandes. They were even wasting time at the end of the first-half and this is the first time I see Sundowns do (this) in PSL this season.

"So I have to be very proud of what we did today. We're getting what we don't deserve due to the decisions (beyond) the control of players and coaches," he said.

AmaZulu struggled with players getting injured and the Spanish coach continued and complained about the fixture coming too soon after their Sunday Carling Knockout semi-final clash against TS Galaxy, where they lost 3-2.

"PSL decided to play the game today when there were more days to play, we didn't have time to rest, that happened to us before and it's happening again," he went on.

"But they don't care about the health of the players, we have to play. The players are doing their best, they are getting injured. It's a bit heavy for the human being because there are players who support the national team but this is what it is," he added.

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