Orlando Pirates striker Thamsanqa Gabuza’s antics in the victory against Black Leopards was a long time coming, according to Buccanneers legend Teboho Moloi.
The 31-year-old hogged all the headlines when he was involved in a bizarre incident where he removed his jersey and celebrated his frustration directly in front of the Pirates supporters, before walking off the pitch.
ALSO READ: Khoza defends under-fire Gabuza
Upon returning from the dressing room prior to the start of the second half, referee Thando Ndzandzeka handed him two yellow cards in quick succession for removing his top and leaving the field without permission.
Watch as Thamsanqa Gabuza storms off the field after contributing to @orlandopirates opening goal.
Is this the end of #Gabuza‘s @orlandopirates career? pic.twitter.com/VY7Gn1AGBq
— Dylan Appolis (@appolis_dylan) August 28, 2018
Former Pirates assistant coach Moloi is well aware of the pressures that come with putting on the infamous black-and-white jersey.
Watch: Gabuza apologises to Bucs faithful
‘To play for Pirates, you must have a big heart because you must understand Pirates supporters were spoilt from previous glories,’ he told Kickoff.
‘At Pirates, if given the jersey, you must perform. How it was handled … I feel that he needed to be protected, because we were all aware this was coming.
‘And how did we protect him? We need to rally around him, protect him, and make sure that we get the maximum of Gabuza. Because you know with Gabuza, if you go to Africa, he’ll win it for you. He comes home, you are not so sure … it’s a 50-50 chance,’ he added.
ALSO READ: Has Gabuza crossed the line of professionalism?
The former Chippa United assistant and caretaker coach also gave Gabuza his backing, saying that the supporters should rally around him in his time of need.
☠ A message from Thamsanqa Gabuza
⚫⚪?⭐#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/nLJEu3ThBI— Orlando Pirates FC (@orlandopirates) August 29, 2018
‘But you know the boy has the talent, he has the work rate and he has everything. Let us not focus on his work rate but let us focus on his weaknesses and improve those weaknesses. What is that we can improve from him? How can we protect him? How can we rally around him and make sure that he understands also the pressure that comes with wearing the Pirates jersey?
Watch: Gabuza leaves pitch after celebrating Pirates’ goal
‘Because at the same time, it is not only Gabuza who is the victim. It is also the supporters that are a victim, because they feel also they’re paying their hard-earned cash and they’re not getting anything in return.
‘On the other hand, Gabuza feels that, “I’m putting 100% out there but these people seem like they don’t appreciate me”.
‘So something of an intervention, some sort of an agreement to say, “This is where we’ll satisfy our supporters and this how we’ll satisfy Gabuza”. I think this would have all been avoided.’
