Kopo Feels His Key Players Were Booked To Miss Pirates Clash
Chippa United coach Kwanele Kopo has expressed concern over the questionable yellow cards issued to his key players during their 2-1 loss to Moroka Swallows at Buffalo City Stadium on Wednesday.
Azola Ntsabo and Baraka Magojoro were booked in the loss, meaning they will miss the upcoming Nedbank Cup semifinal clash against Orlando Pirates at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday. Brooklyn Poggenpoel also received a caution, but it was his third yellow card and does not result in a suspension for this match.
Roscoe Pietersen, however, will be unavailable due to a red card received against AmaZulu last weekend. This is his second and final game out due to suspension.
These suspensions leave Kopo and his co-coach Thabo September facing a high-flying Pirates side with a weakened squad, a situation that frustrates the former Pretoria Callies coach.
“Azola just returned from a long layoff when we lost him on the weekend,” Kopo said.
“We were really pushing for this game and started him accordingly. Unfortunately, we received yellow cards on players who were already on three cautions. I don’t understand the way these were calculated. Baraka’s first yellow card was for a foul that, in my opinion, didn’t warrant one at all…
“There was a similar situation involving Taahir Goedeman of Cape Town City against Orlando Pirates on Sunday in the 85th minute. The referee didn’t even speak to him. This inconsistency raises questions. Now, we’re missing both Majorogo and Azola due to suspension.”
Chippa also faces the potential absence of Goodman Mosele, who is on loan from Pirates, due to an injury that Kopo described as concerning.
“We may lose Goodman,” Kopo said. “We’re looking at Ayabulela Konqobe, who has also been dealing with an injury. We took a risk by playing him in the AmaZulu game, but he couldn’t maintain the intensity and had to be substituted. Kabomelo Mahlatsi is just returning from injury as well, and we’re trying to manage his minutes. These injuries will certainly affect our team selection.”
Picture courtesy of Chippa united
