Wits’ Mhango takes flak on all fronts after PSL ‘spitting’ incident

WITS forward Gabadinho Mhango is unlikely to get away with spitting in the direction of AmaZulu midfielder Michael Morton during their midweek clash.

The altercation occurred after Malawian was fouled by Thapelo Nyongo in the PSL game on Wednesday night at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi.

Mhango was fuming after he had been intentionally fouled by Nyongo in the second half, Morton tried to separate the players, but the Wits forward spat in the direction of AmaZulu “peacemaker”.

Morton then pushed Mhango and was sent off for his action. Usuthu hammered Wits 3-0.

PSL acting Chief Operations Officer (CEO) Mato Madlala confirmed that they saw the incident on television.

“We saw the action of Mhango on television. It is something that is not right for the image of our game, but we will wait for the report of the match commissioner. We will then send the report to the Safa review committee and the matter will be then referred to the prosecutor who will then make the decision if the payer deserves a sanction or not. Such incidents are not easy to pick up as the match commissioner sits far from the action,” Madlala explained.

A couple of seasons ago AmaZulu marksman Mabhudi Khenyeza was accused of spitting at the assistant referee when he was still playing for Ajax Cape Town.

“When that happened to Mabhudi Khenyeza it was difficult to deal with it because the player stated that he spat on the ground and he didn’t realise that there were people around him. I’m not saying Mhango will be prosecuted or not,but decisions have been taken after matches before. It happened to Gary Goldstone and Morgan Gould, but at the end of the day the decisions are taken by Safa,” Madlala elaborated.

Gould was fined and banned for two matches for punching Wits striker Getaneh Kedebe three seasons ago. In 2008, Goldstone was banned for two matches and fined R50 000. AmaZulu boss Cavin Johnson slammed Mhango for his actions.

“I think it was very unfair. The instigator, which was Mhango, spat at him (Morton) in the face and he has been running for 75 minutes. When you have been running for 75 minutes you will find that your head is not there. You are fighting for the game and controlled the game and Mhango does that. It is very unprofessional of Mhango to do that but at the same time maybe Morton’s head slipped a little bit. Mhango is not a good professional and he is not a good advert for South African football.

“It’s not fair for any athlete to spit at another athlete,” Johnson elaborated.

Wits coach Gavin Hunt confirmed that the club will deal with the Mhango matter internally. “We don’t condone such behaviour and we will deal with that matter internally,” Hunt explained.