Kaizer Chiefs’ leadership team and head coach Nasreddine Nabi have been called upon to better manage Gastón Sirino’s temperament after his red card in their heavy 4-1 defeat to SuperSport United.
With Chiefs already trailing 3-1, Sirino was sent off with 21 minutes remaining after picking up two avoidable yellow cards in quick succession. His dismissal ended any hopes of a fightback and further highlighted concerns over his emotional control on the pitch.
His suspension is a major setback, especially as Chiefs prepare for a crucial match against his former club, Mamelodi Sundowns, next weekend.
Former referee Victor Hlungwani spoke about the difficulty of officiating Sirino, recalling an incident from his debut season at Sundowns in 2018.
“A good referee should prevent issues before they escalate,” Hlungwani shared on Smash Sports’ YouTube channel. “If Sirino isn’t managed properly, it’s only a matter of time before he sees a red card.”
Hlungwani recalled warning then-Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana and coach Pitso Mosimane about Sirino’s volatile nature. However, Mosimane chose to keep him on the pitch, and moments later, Sirino was sent off for a shirt pull.
In the SuperSport game, Chiefs' captain Yusuf Maart had already left the field before Sirino received his first booking, leaving Inácio Miguel in charge. As a new arrival in the PSL, Miguel may not have had the authority or awareness to intervene.
With key fixtures ahead, Chiefs’ management must take proactive steps to ensure players like Sirino maintain discipline, preventing unnecessary suspensions that could hurt the team.
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