Football sensation Gabadinho Mhango on Wednesday dismissed talk that he failed to make the grade at the three South African clubs where he attended trials.
Speaking on arrival at Chileka International Airport in Blantyre Wednesday afternoon, the 20-year-old star claimed that he made an impression at Bloemfontein Celtic and Amazulu.
“It was only at Free State Stars where things did not work out because they did not give me adequate chance. I only took part in one training session and that was it.
“Otherwise, at Amazulu and Celtic, I did very well and even the coaches spoke highly about me,” said Gabadinho, spotting a fancy white T-shirt and a pair of black tight jeans.
Asked why he has not been offered a deal if he was successful, Gabadinho—who appeared at ease as he nodded his head while listening to his favourite Temperature beat—said: “At Amazulu, I scored four goals in five games and they wanted to offer me a contract, but they couldn’t agree the terms with my agency [ProSport International].
“In fact, according to latest developments, they [Amazulu] are negotiating for a loan deal.”
Reacting to Celtic technical director Mich D’ Avray’s claims that they could not sign him because of his stature, Gabadinho said: “Perhaps that was his opinion, but even them [Celtic] are still interested and talks with my agent [Mike Mokoena] are still going on. At Celtic, I scored a goal from three games which wasn’t bad.”
Gabadinho also described the trials as an eye-opener.
“It was a wonderful experience. Our friends in South Africa are advanced in terms of professional set-up. The facilities, training programme and approach are world-class.
“I learnt quite a lot and I am relishing the opportunity of being signed,” he said.
Asked if he missed Big Bullets and the limelight that he enjoys on the local scene, the soccer phenomenon said: “Not at all. I didn’t miss Bullets. My focus was on the trials and I would love to play in the PSL.”
Flames assistant coach Patrick Mabedi and Big Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire corroborated Gabadinho’s claims that Amazulu want to sign him on loan.
Said Mabedi in a telephone interview from Johannesburg: “I have just been talking to ProSport officials and they are saying Amazulu have offered to sign the boy on loan and they are working on an offer.”
Mkandawire said: “We are still waiting for official communication from the agency, but that is the latest information we have.
“We want them to put the loan offer in black and white so that we can take it up from there. If we are in agreement with the terms, we’ll loan them the boy because we do not want to stand in his way.”
