Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza has voiced his support for Thamsanqa Gabuza, and spoke of his positive influence to the squad on and off the field.

The 31-year-old has been the talking subject this week after storming off the outch during the Buccaneers 2-1 victory over Black Leopards at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Gabuza has come under criticism for what conspired on Tuesday, with many of the club’s supporters calling for his dismissal.

However, Khoza has since defended the influence the veteran striker has in the squad and his contribution to the team on a whole.

‘Gabuza is a special player. He is a team player. He makes the team laugh with his jokes. Gabuza is hardworking and he loves the club,’ Khoza told IOL.

‘There’s something special about the boy and that’s why I’m on his side. He’s like Senzo Meyiwa. Gabuza will never give you attitude. He is a nice boy.

‘Even if he is not in the 18-man team, you will find him at training, working hard as if he is part of the matchday squad. That’s how passionate the boy is.

He added: ‘We don’t condone his behaviour. As a role model he should be able to deal with criticism positively. Your temperament must be able to overcome all the challenges.

‘You must concentrate on the game. Sometimes you need to be patient. If I wasn’t patient I wouldn’t be in football still, but I’m still in football. His attitude was unprofessional.

‘It was an act of misconduct and it really tarnished the reputation and the image of the club. But he is very remorseful for his actions. Gabuza is a very humble person. He told me he was wrong but he’s doing his best for the club.’

The club’s chairman conceded that Gabuza’s actions were unprofessional, but is willing to help the player through this point in his career.

‘It is very important to understand that for strikers to score goals it also depends on your temperament, mixed emotions, anxiety and the energy,’ he added.

‘That can be influenced by your own supporters. There’s a difference between jeering and cheering. If people jeer at you, you end up losing your steps. You become destabilised. You end up losing your cool.

‘Gabuza is not a lazy player. He is the most performing player. He loves the club and he wants to give back. Gabuza was top goal scorer under Shakes Mashaba for Bafana Bafana.’