Vusumuzi Vilakazi fumes at referees after AmaZulu’s Nedbank exit

AmaZulu FC co-coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi slammed the referee’s decisions following Usuthu’s exit from the Nedbank Cup Last 16 tie against Marumo Gallants.

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa booked a spot in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final after defeating AmaZulu 1-0 at the DR Molemela Stadium on Saturday. The Bloemfontein-based side found the solitary goal through Junior Zindoga in the first half.

The disappointing results against Gallants saw AmaZulu miss out on another chance of winning silverware in the 2024/25 season. AmaZulu have already missed out on the Carling Knockout Cup earlier in the season before crashing out of the Nedbank Cup.

During the match against Gallants, AmaZulu had a bright start after almost opening the scoring in the 5th minute through Tshepang Moremi.

A few minutes later, Gallants scored a brilliant solo goal through Junior Zindoga in the 18th minute after AmaZulu could not shape up in the backline.

In the 25th minute, AmaZulu’s in-form attacker Rowan Human was brought down inside the penalty box, but referee Thando Nzandzeka waved play on.

Another action that brought attention to the referee was when AmaZulu’s strike in the second half that looked to have crossed the line was not given as a goal.

WHAT DID VUSUMUZI VILAKAZI SAY ABOUT THE MATCH OFFICIALS AFTER AMAZULU’S NEDBANK CUP EXIT?

Vilakazi slammed the referees, stressing that they are not a team that complains about match officials, however the decisions were against his side.

“Firstly, I’m very disappointed with the referee today. I brought this phone to show you the decisions of the referee. Everything was going against us, but we are very proud with Arthur [Zwane] about the effort of the players. They were working very hard; it was just not meant to be, but the effort was there,” Vilakazi said on SuperSport TV.

“You can check maybe their goal, maybe that was not our best structures defensively, and that’s why we suffered, but other than that, they worked very hard and created chances which needed to be converted.

“I’m very much disappointed in the referees and their the decisions apart from the goal, we are not a team that always complains about referees but in this game it was very bad and we suffered. That’s disappointing for our football in South Africa.”

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