Cape Town - Orlando Pirates' head of development,
Augusto Palacios, has leapt to the defence of Thamsanqa Gabuza and urged
South African football fans to stop booing players.
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Palacios coached Gabuza during his most recent spell in charge of the Pirates first team and explained that although he has struggled to score goals, he still contributes to the team.
His words come at a time when Gabuza is recovering after throwing his shirt into the crowd in protest against boos from supporters and leaving the field of play during Pirates' 2-1 win over Black Leopards, earning himself a red card.
"What I like the most about Gabuza is that he's a fighter and a hard worker. It is very difficult to mark him because he always takes the defence away from their positions, creating spaces for his teammates" Palacios told Soccer Laduma.
"He's just been unlucky when it comes to scoring and that happens to anyone.
"Yes, what he did was wrong, but in the meantime, the supporters go to the stadium to motivate and support their players, not to boo them. That is wrong and we have to learn from the international standards.
"South Africans need to change this thing of the supporters wanting to shout at the players. It is wrong."
Gabuza will be looking to prove his worth if he remains in coach Milutin Sredojevic's side for their clash against SuperSport United on September 15.