Tapuwa Kapini hit with missiles

DURBAN - Zimbabwe international goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini was hit in the face with missiles thrown by fans after AmaZulu's 2-0 loss to Maritzburg United - and was left in tears yesterday.

Usuthu fans made their feelings about the goalkeeper known throughout the match, with a group of fans causing havoc near the tunnel at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

To be fair, Kapini could not have done much about the two goals he let in against the "Team of Choice".

The first came after a cross in the six-yard area, which Marc van Heerden deflected into his own net, and the second was a lovely curling finish by Thokozani Sehlokong, after a one-on-one with the Usuthu skipper and goalkeeper.

After their 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday, the club has conceded 11 goals in three matches, while scoring just one  - a penalty against the Brazilians.

But Kapini, seemingly singled out for blame, was hit by objects - including plastic bottles - thrown by the fans while making his way from the pitch, and was visibly upset, and lay on the ground in tears until he was assisted by the AmaZulu technical staff.

Team manager Japhet Zwane attempted to calm fans down, telling them the club would not rush into a decision of "sacking the coach", Craig Rosslee.

"It is very bad for the club to be losing and conceding so many goals," Zwane said. "Our players are deflated and we are devoid of direction at the moment but the change of personnel won't help the cause for the club. [Rosslee] will continue.

"Players' heads have dropped dramatically and we need a good performance in the upcoming matches. Everyone is not happy with what is happening. We hope we may turn the corner and pull ourselves in one direction.

"It has been nothing but sheer disarray from players and it doesn't look good. We will sit down and assess where we went wrong and rectify that possibly in those coming matches.

"A club like AmaZulu has a massive history and it's absolutely diabolical to lose games like that - especial at home, we need to make it count."

After conceding seven goals in midweek, former Zimbabwe Warriors captain Kapini told KickOff.com that he was ashamed, but added he had called a meeting with his teammates to analyse the situation at the club and move forward positively.