A South African soccer player had enough after being ridiculed by his own fans.
Orlando Pirates striker Thamsanqa Gabuza staged a walk-off midway through a league game on Tuesday after being taunted by his fans, who were booing him and calling for him to be substituted in the first half after a series of early misses.
Gabuza set up a goal near the end of the first half — an own-goal by opposing team Black Leopards — and, in part celebration, part defiance, he took off his shirt, threw it at a section of his fans and walked off the field and down the tunnel.
Before he left the field, the South Africa national team player sarcastically applauded the supporters, waved at them, and then made a signal referring to a substitution.
As he headed to the tunnel, Gabuza was angrily confronted by his coach, Milutin Sredojevic, who shoved the player in the chest and shouted at him. Gabuza’s teammates also tried to pull him back onto the field. He refused.