The ABSA Premiership defending league and cup champions were trailing arch-rivals Orlando Pirates by a goal-nil when the Warriors striker scored before half time at the FNB Stadium.
However, that did not save him from the jeers that have followed him for most of the season thus far, having begun when the Amakhosi beat Free State Stars on penalties to progress to the semi-finals of the Telkom Knockout tournament.
This has prompted Coach Stuart Baxter to come to the striker’s rescue and hit out at the wayward fans. “The fans must know that if they boo players, they are transferring negative energy onto the pitch. The players don’t deserve to be criticised after they put in such a gallant performance,” said Baxter.
“It was difficult both on the stands and inside the pitch, but both the fans and the players gave it their all under the circumstances. I understand soccer is an emotional game and sometimes criticising is what makes it the ‘game of billions’, but the criticism must be fair. The supporters must know that if they boo Kingston, that has a negative effect on the whole team.”
The Kaizer Chiefs coach further described the booing as “amateurish” and total “madness”.
“I call what the fans did madness – that is amateurish and impacts the whole team. I thought Kingston showed character as he kept going. I feared that he was going to run himself to the ground if I didn’t take him out. The fans have to get rid of that habit.”
Post published in: Football