Football
Chris Wright, Toe Poke writer 6y

Thamsanqa Gabuza sent off following meltdown in Orlando Pirates victory

South African top-flight side Orlando Pirates mustered their second win of the season with a 2-1 away victory over Black Leopards on Tuesday night.

All the more impressive was that they ultimately secured the victory despite playing with 10 men for the final hour of the match. Indeed, Pirates striker Thamsanqa Gabuza managed to earn himself an early red card in bizarre circumstances just a few minutes after playing a role in the opening goal.

A deflected cross saw the visitors go 1-0 ahead in the 31st minute, which sparked a fit of vitriol from Gabuza, who was being jeered by his own fans after a series of early misses and, more generally speaking, for his frankly dire Pirates goal record: a mere eight goals in five seasons.

Having played a somewhat indirect part in the goal, the 31-year-old forward went charging over to the supporters and started yelling at them before removing his shirt, hurling it defiantly into the stands and storming off down the tunnel.

Gabuza returned to the dugout, where he was promptly sent off again by the referee -- one yellow for removing his shirt, a second for leaving the field of play without consent.

Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic claimed that his striker had attempted to leave the field due to an injury, who prior to his sending off emerged from the tunnel with a heavily bandaged leg.

"He went off because prior to that he got kicked in his muscle, and after the goal was scored he left because of that injury," the Pirates boss told reporters.

That said, Sredojevic also mentioned that he was just as bemused by Gabuza's behaviour as everybody else.

"In 25 years of coaching I have never seen [this]," he added. "But a bit more patience, a bit more support for the team would be very much welcome."

Amazing. Imagine the apocalyptic scenes if Gabuza had actually scored himself.

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