Orlando Pirates have reportedly agreed to part ways with striker Gabadinho Mhango on mutual consent at the end of this DStv Premiership season, Malawi’s newspaper The Nation has reported.
The newspaper quoted Mhango as having confirmed to have agreed with Pirates to let him go due to limited game-time. “We had a meeting recently, and both parties agreed by mutual consent to part ways. It is a huge relief to me because I was hardly enjoying game time,” Mhango is quoted to have told the newspaper.
“It has been a stressful season for me, and I can’t wait to move on and, hopefully, this will be a new dawn for my career.” The 29-year-old Malawian international said his manager Mike Makaab was working on finding him a club amid reported interest from Royal AM, Kaizer Chiefs, TP Mazembe in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania’s Simba SC.
“He told me that there are a few clubs that he is talking to, and we are having another meeting today [yesterday] for an update,” Mhango added.
“So, that’s where we are, and I am just waiting to see what will come up at the end of the season.” Other reports suggest that the former Bloemfontein Celtic and Bidvest Wits forward has attracted interest from a top team in Sweden.
Pirates continue to sideline Mhango despite his form picked at the delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon, where he scored three goals in three games to help the Flames qualify for the round of 16. The newspaper quoted Football Association of Malawi President Walter Nyamilandu saying Mhango needed to move to a club that would grant him an opportunity for regular football.
“First and foremost, it’s about time because he has been unfairly treated at Pirates. He is not being given game time, and the best for him to grow his career is to part ways with the club and look for greener pastures.
“Gaba is at the peak of his career, and he needs to make the most of it by actively playing so that he can maximise his earnings. It would also help the national cause because he is our top striker. “
Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi said Mhango’s outstanding performance at AFCON was no guarantee for game-time at the Soweto club, where has featured five times only this season.
By Peter Kanjere
