Gaba dejected
South Africa-based Malawian forward Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango says he is downhearted over lack of game time at his South African DStv Premiership side Orlando Pirates, but insists he will keep pushing.
The Flames striker was reacting to his exclusion in Saturday’s Soweto derby against sworn rivals Kaizer Chiefs which Pirates lost 1-2 in Johannesburg.
Despite his vintage display at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals where he finished as third leading scorer with three goals from three matches, the 29-year-old has been reduced to a side show by the Buccaneers this season and rarely makes the substitutes list.
In an interview on Saturday evening, he said: “There is nothing I can do about the situation and I really don’t know what is happening.
“I am good, I am fully fit and working extra, but it’s like they don’t want me to take part, I don’t know what the coaches’ plans are.
“So, that is it. But I will keep on pushing, I will keep on working hard.”
National Football Coaches Association chairperson Aubrey Nankhuni said Pirates should consider either selling or loaning out Mhango if he is not on the coaches’ plans.
He said: “From the coaches’ comments, it is clear that he is not in their plans. So, why not sell or loan him to a club where he will enjoy game time?
“They [Pirates coaches] are psychologically torturing the player and it is not fair.”
Football analyst Charles Nyirenda recently said Pirates’ reasons for sidelining Mhango were not convincing.
He said: “Regardless of the competition at Pirates, Gaba has proved that he is one of the best strikers at the Buccaneeers. If they can’t accept that, let the player go where he will get game time rather than wasting talent like that.”
Pirates co-coach Fadlu Davids was quoted by South African football publication Soccer Laduma ahead of the derby as having said the 2020 Premier Soccer League joint golden boot winner is getting closer to the starting XI although the competition in the Bucs attacking department is not doing him any favours.
He said: “I don’t like to talk about individual players. We treat all our 36 players the same. Not only Gabadinho Mhango, but Tshegofatso Mabasa, [Boitumelo] Radiopane, who is scoring every week and looking at us like: ‘When am I getting my opportunity?’ But it is about managing the squad.
“Yes, as you saw in the last couple of matches, he [Mhango] has been in the squad and it’s only a signal of how he has been performing in training. So, it definitely puts him a step closer and fighting for a place.”
His manager Mike Makaab recently told The Nation that there is need for patience as he believes his client, who has played less than 150 minutes this term, will get a chance.
Recently, Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi drew the wrath of some Pirates fans and commentators when he said Mhango’s performance at Afcon does not guarantee him a place in the team.
