National Sports

Gaba sidelined again

 

The going continues to be tough for Flames prolific striker Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) as Bidvest Wits reduced him to a side show for the third consecutive time on Wednesday evening.

The 23-year-old has been instrumental to Bidvest Wits ascendancy to the summit of the PSL logtable; scoring vital goals and providing a number of assists but he was not on coach Gavin Hunt’s plans when the side suffered 1-3 defeat by Free State Stars at the Goble Park.

Gaba (R) was benched for the third consecutive time

Gaba’s prolonged spell on the sidelines has not only cast a shadow of purported misunderstandings with his coach, but has also heavily affected his hunt for the PSL golden boot award as he is third on the leading scorers’ sheet with nine goals; three behind joint leading scorers Tendai Ndoro of Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City’s Lebohang Manga.

Mhango, who has just been named brand ambassador for Airtel Top 8 Cup, had not yet replied to a WhatsApp questionnaire about his reaction to the development as we went to press.

In spite of that, The Nation edition of May 3 2017 quoted him as having said that he is still up beat of being featured in the next games.

“Team fielding is at the discretion of the coach and I wouldn’t say why I have not featured in the past games,” he explained.

“Nevertheless, I think I still have a chance to win the award. The difference between me and the joint leading scorers is just three goals and there are five more games to play. I will keep on working hard and I am hopeful of being featured in our next fixture.”

Wits, who made three substitutions on Wednesday, are on top of the 16-team PSL logtable with 57 points from 28 games. Mamelodi Sundowns are second on the ladder with 55 points from the same number of matches. n

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