Petulant Gabuza not a team player

FOOTBALL in South Africa never ceases to astound and confound. And, more often than not, the antics that take place both on and off the field are a source of great mirth, too. Like Tuesday night, when Orlando Pirates striker Thamsanqa Gabuza decided he had had enough of the abuse from the terraces; after providing the cross for Pirates’ opening goal in a 2-1 win over Black Leopards in Polokwane, he stormed off the pitch, hurled his shirt into the crowd and stormed down the tunnel, in essence, substituting himself.

If you are leaning towards a measure of sympathy for Gabuza, don’t. If you believe his actions are justified, think again. There is no place for such nonsense in professional sport. This is Gabuza’s chosen profession; it’s his bread and butter and he has to take the ups and down and highs and lows concomitant with the sport, even if it means having to deal with insult and abuse when his performances displease fans. (Imagine a teacher running away because the kids are abusive, or a doctor refusing to treat because the patient is rude). In such a situation, Gabuza can only keep working hard, try to get back to form and, in that way, change supporters’ opinion of his ability. Walking off serves no purpose, except to display his own egotism; it was all about him, and not the team. And, ultimately, this is a team game.

Gabuza was subsequently handed two yellow cards for his rash reaction, one for taking off his shirt and the other for leaving the field without permission. Two yellows equal a red card, and Pirates had to play the rest of the game with 10 players instead of 11. They managed to pull off the win – but, while Gabuza was stewing in his own ego, the rest of the team had to sweat blood to get the result. There is only one way to describe his conduct: selfish.

Hopefully Gabuza will realise this, and concentrate on what he does so well… making magic with a soccer ball at his feet.