Gaba proud of helping Wits end six-year drought

Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango yesterday said he was proud to have helped his South African team Bidvest Wits end their six-year silverware drought.

Wits crushed Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 to win the MTN8 tournament at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday evening.

“I am very proud to have played a big part in this success. We reduced Sundowns to an ordinary side due to team spirit.

“We fought from the first to the last whistle and to win by such a comfortable margin against a team that is in the finals of the CAF Champions League, was extraordinary,” said Gabadinho in an interview from South Africa yesterday.

He also hailed his compatriot and team-mate Gerald Phiri Jnr for his encouragement.

“Papa [Gerald Jnr] has been very supportive since our childhood days at Brave Warriors and he kept on encouraging me through and through,” he said.

“It is the first time for me to win a silverware here [in South Africa] and the feeling is just incredible.”

Wits claimed the top eight trophy for the first time since it was minted the MTN8  to cart home a cool R8 million (about K406 million).

Daine Klate scored on either side of a goal from Rodgers as Gavin Hunt’s men easily disposed of a Sundowns side who only really got out of the blocks in the second stanza.

Wits coach Gavin Hunt was visibly thrilled to have seen his Bidvest Wits side claim a first trophy in six years and spoke of building on their MTN8 success.

He praised his team for achieving such a tremendous feat against quality opponents.

Gabadinho joined Wits mid last season after being released by Bloemfontein Celtic but had to spend a six-month loan spell at Golden Arrors. n