Gaba finally gets a run
South African DStv Premiership side Orlando Pirates on Sunday finally gave their Malawian forward Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango a run during a CAF Confederation Cup match against Libyan champions Al-Ittihad in Benghazi which the hosts won 3-2.
At the time he was thrown in as a second half substitute, the scoreline was already 3-2 and his introduction had little impact.
Nevertheless, in an interview yesterday, the 29-year-old said he felt relieved to get a run.
Said Mhango: “It had been sometime since I last featured and getting a run provided some relief.
“I would have loved to make a significant impact, but I am sure things will get better. I just have to continue working hard and remain focused.”
After a stellar show at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Cameroon where he was among the leading scorers with three goals in three matches, Pirates co-coaches MandlaNcikazi and Dadlu Davids continued to sideline him.
Ncikazi even told South African media that Mhango’s performance at Afcon was no guarantee for a place in the team.
His statements drew wrath from some Pirates fans, who took to the social media to express their disappointment, but he stuck to his guns until Sunday’s match.
Mhango has made sporadic appearances for Pirates this season and his off-the-field controversy that were splashed in South African tabloids did not help matters.
Since returning from Afcon, Mhango could not even make the bench when Pirates faced AmaZulu, JS Saoura and Lamontville Golden Arrows.
