Kaizer Chiefs coach fights for Gaston Sirino after match-defining incident against Marumo Gallants and insists 'he is not the first or last player to miss a penalty'

Gaston Sirino missed a penalty when Kaizer Chiefs were held 1-1 by Marumo Gallants in a Premier Soccer League match on Wednesday.

With Amakhosi leading 1-0, Sirino had his kick saved by Washington Arubi on the stroke of halftime.

That saw the Soweto giants missing an opportunity to double their advantage and make it difficult for their opponents, who went on to hit back with 25 minutes to go.

“I saw a difference [than fans being unhappy over Sirino], when I made the substitution, I saw all the fans were happy for Sirino, shouting his name,” Ben Youssef said as per iDiski Times. 
“Sirino is a big player – he’s one of the important players for us with big experience, he’s not the first or last player to miss a penalty – he tried to do his best but the keeper from Marumo Gallants was ready to save the ball.  
“He’ll continue to work [hard]. Like I said Sirino is so confident, and we know with his quality he will help this team.”

After dropping two points on Wednesday, Amakhosi could not make big steps to close in on the gap between them and log leaders Sekhukhune United, who were held 1-1 by Chippa United.

The Soweto giants remain six points below Babina Noko, who have played a game more and have four points less than second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns.

That is a rough patch for Chiefs, who were unbeaten in their first five league games but have now gone for three games without tasting victory. 

Angolan side Kabuscorp visit Chiefs for Saturday's second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round.

It is a match they would want to avoid losing, as elimination from this competition might psychologically affect the players.