Asante Kotoko interim coach Johnson Smith has urged referees to give protection to Fabio Gama after claiming opponents have decided to go hard on the Brazilian international during matchdays in the ongoing Ghana Premier League.
The gaffer’s claims come in the wake of the Porcupine Warriors 1-0 win over Mysterious Ebusua Dwarfs on Wednesday at the Cape Coast Stadium in which the Brazilian international was subbed for Naby Keita in the 65th-minute mark of the game.
The 28-year old who provided an assist in his debut start for Asante Kotoko in their 2-0 over Liberty Professionals was making his third straight start for Asante Kotoko.
However, that was the game he played fewer minutes as he was fouled on countless occasions by the opponent players.
Johnson Smith believes Gama is unfairly targeted for consistent fouling by opponents and wants referees to offer more protection for the diminutive midfielder.
“Opponents have been fouling Fabio Gama and he has suffered too much,” he said.
“I will plead with Ghanaian referees to protect him. He is yet to get used to the Ghanaian style of football.
“He is not strong enough,” he concluded.
