Four-goal deluge excites ‘Gabadinho’
Malawian striker Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango on Wednesday stepped off the bench to score four goals within 40 minutes to inspire his team to a 4-2 win over Mpumalanga Black Aces in a South Africa Premier Soccer League (PSL) match.
It was the stuff that dreams are made of for the Flames forward who was only the second player this season to achieve that feat after Polokwane City’s Thobani Mncwango who also bagged four goals when his side beat SuperSport United 4-1 in January this year.
Speaking in an interview from the rainbow nation yesterday, Mhango expressed delight at the feat.
“I just can’t express my excitement and it also comes as a relief because it was the first time for me to get on the score sheet since I joined Arrows on loan. Hopefully, it will further boost my confidence,” he said.
Arrows, who had Mhango’s compatriot Limbikani Mzava in the line-up, had led 2-0 through Collins Mbesuma and Judas Moseamedi. However, Mhango netted four goals in under 40 minutes to secure a famous victory.
According to kickoff.com, Arrows had an early penalty by Nkanyiso Cele saved by Shu-Aib Walters, before Mbesuma netted from the spot after seven minutes following Musa Bilankulu’s foul on Lehlohonolo Nonyane.
Muhsin Ertugral’s men continued to enjoy possession and controlled the proceedings as they pushed for their second goal, and that came on 31 minutes when Moseamedi netted from Mbesuma’s pass.
However, the moment of the match came on 36 minutes when Clinton Larsen brought on Mhango for Nduduzo Sibaya.
The move paid dividends almost immediately, with the Malawian halving the deficit when he netted from the spot in the 45th minute after Walters had fouled Kuda Mahachi.
Three minutes later Mhango had a second when he headed home, leaving the scores level at 2-2 at the break.
Aces were stunned, but their misery was not over as Bidvest Wits-bound Mhango added a third on 65 minutes, before getting his fourth with 10 minutes remaining—both goals coming from Mahachi assists.
The result sees Arrows move up to 10th, while Aces slip to fifth place. n
