The ball was in Wits’ court—Gaba
Flames forward Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango says he had no choice on his South African club Bidvest Wits’ move to exercise an extension option on his contract by a year.
His contract was due to expire at the end of June, but Wits pulled a fast one by exercising an extension option before the player could become a free agent amid interest from fallen giants Kaizer Chiefs, who are reportedly chasing his signature.
Reacting to the development, considering that he was reduced to a sideshow by Wits for the better part of last season, Mhango said: “It was an option for the team and there was nothing I could have done about it.
“The team has made a decision and I will have to abide by it. So, I have accepted the situation and the team has also indicated on the prospects of offering me a new deal. All I need to do is work hard, that’s all.”
Commenting on reports linking him with a possible move, the 26-year-old striker said: “I cannot comment on that, I would rather concentrate on the contract that I have. Should anything crop up in future, then it will be dealt with at that time.”
The player’s manager Mike Makaab was also quoted by www.soccerladuma.co.za on Thursday as confirming that the Clever Boys had extended his contract beyond the end of the 2018/19 campaign.
Chiefs have long been linked with a potential move for Mhango, but Wits’ move may have made things a bit more difficult.
Amakhosi, as Chiefs are popularly known, ended their worst Absa Premiership campaign in the PSL era, finishing outside the top half of the table and missing out on a top eight spot for the first time in 12 years.
Mhango was in and out of Gavin Hunt’s side over the course of the 2018/19 season, and ended the campaign with just six Absa Premiership starts to his name. However, he did score on the final day after becoming more utilised in the last couple of months. He joined Wits from Lamontiville Golden Arrows in 2016. Before joining Arrows, Mhango spent two seasons at Bloemfontein Celtic.
