AmaZulu coach, Pablo Franco Martin, has defended goalkeeper Veli Mothwa following a costly error in their defeat against Polokwane City at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.

Mothwa dropped the easy catch in the last minute and Polokwane City defender Thabang Matuludi took full advantage to slot home as the Limpopo side came from behind to collect all the three points.  

It was a come-from-behind as Usuthu were the first side to be on the score sheet as Etiosa Ighodaro headed Martin’s side in the 30^th minute.  

But City hit back as their captain Bulelani Nikani equalizer in the added time of the first half, before Mothwa embarrassingly dropped an easy catch in the added time of the second half before Matuludi blasted home.  

It was the second time Mothwa has made a costly mistake. During the FIFA international break as Bafana Bafana hosted Uganda at Orlando Stadium last Friday in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, a long-range strike by Rogers Mato was spilled by Mothwa and the ball went into the net.  

“Everyone saw what happened in the last goal, it was clear that it was a mistake,” said Martin. 

“But we also made many mistakes with our attacking players and in the end, we did not score the goals. We had clear four of five chances open to score goals and we hit the post, but nobody is talking about the offensive players. 

“Sometimes I think it is a little bit unfair but that sells more newspapers or people click more on social media when you are posting these things.  

“It’s a pity and we need to recover him because he is our main goalkeeper. He is the only player since I’m here who is playing for Bafana Bafana. 

“Now, we have to see if he can be part of his best level as soon as possible. He was playing a good game until that moment.  

“It is indeed an unlucky situation and it has cost us points.”  

Following the match, Mothwa was visibly upset and received support from his teammates. Martin acknowledged the difficult situation Mothwa is in but stressed the importance of the team sticking together and supporting each other.

Usuthu next host Kaizer Chiefs, who beat Marumo Gallants, at the Moses Mabhida Stadium next week Wednesday. 

“One of the positive things is, we are a team – we lose together, we win together, we live together,” said Martin. 

“One player making a mistake, we have to help him and try to encourage him looking at what happened. 

“I’m telling you the same, it was not the only mistake we made in the game.”