AmaZulu FC coach makes Sundowns’ emphatic claim ahead of league clash
AmaZulu FC coach Pablo Franco Martin has made an emphatic claim about Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of their meeting in the DStv Premiership.
The two sides will face off for the second time in the league this season, with the Brazilians looking to cement the number one spot while Usuthu aim to climb up to the top half of the table.
Sundowns will host Martin’s troops on Tuesday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, with kickoff set for 19:30
Rulani Mokwena’s side downed AmaZulu 1-0 in the first round with a solitary goal from the penalty spot by Ribeiro Costa.
Recalling what transpired in the match, Martin says Sundowns only won it “on the scoreboard”. He feels if the officiating was “fair”, his men would become the first side to beat the Tshwane giants this season.
He insisted Masandawana shouldn’t have been awarded a penalty as Usuthu player Mbongeni Gumede had been fouled earlier. The Spanish coach also stated that the KZN side was denied a legitimate goal, which could have been their winner.
PABLO FRANCO MARTIN INSISTS FIRST ROUND MEETING WASN’T ‘FAIR’
“I’m not worried at all. I know it’s gonna be a very tough game,” said Martin.
“We are the underdogs, and everybody is expecting us to lose that game. And also everyone was expecting to lose when we played them here [King Zwelithini Stadium].
“We didn’t have time to rest, they came here and played their best team. They beat us but only because the scoreboard said that they beat us. But we scored one goal which was a [legitimate] goal.
“And there was a penalty for them, if you are fair you have to go for a previous foul. Gumede grabbed the striker but the striker was the first to grab him.
“It’s things you can’t control, we could have been the first team and the only one to beat them so far this season.
“I’m sure that the guys are going to be highly motivated, and we are going to give them a tough time. And from there we will try to do our best. We know about their quality; we know we’re playing away but we’re going there to play our best football.”
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