Interim Asante Kotoko head coach, Johnson Smith has demanded that referees give protection to Fabio Gama after claiming opponents have set out to rough up the Brazilian.
The claims come in the wake of the Porcupine Warriors’ 1-0 victory at Ebusua Dwarfs in which the playmaker had to be withdrawn 5 minutes after the hour mark.
Gama was making his third straight start for Kotoko but this was the game he played fewer minutes in as he got shackled a couple of times while on the pitch.
He provided an assist on his debut start in the 2-0 win over Liberty but has gone blunt in subsequent outings against WAFA and Dwarfs.
Johnson Smith says the 28-year-old former Jonkoping Sondra midfielder has become a target for scything tackles by opposition teams.
“Opponents have been fouling Fabio Gama.
“He has suffered too many times and 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 told Oyerepa FM.
Wednesday’s victory at Dwarfs sent Kotoko into third spot on the league log. They next host Aduana Stars Sunday night.
