Striker Gabadinho Mhango made history for Malawi football when came off the bench to score his first goal for AmaZulu, as they edged out SuperSport United 2-1 on Wednesday evening.
The former Orlando Pirates forward became the first Malawian footballer to score for five different teams in the modern era of the Premier Soccer League history in South Africa.
The Flames attacker also scored for Bloemfontein Celtic, Bidvest Wits, Golden Arrows and Pirates during his nine-year career in South Africa.
The Malawian scored minutes after replacing Sphesihle Maduna by reacting instinctively to deflect the ball into the net and level matters for Usuthu in the 64th minute. SuperSport had taken an early lead through Maseko’s goal before the Malawian drew level.
Gabadinho then turned from scorer to provider when he created fellow substitute Bongi Ntuli’s winner later on at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Ntuli had come on for Sphesihle Maduna.
It was the 29-year-old Flames man’s first goal in two league games since his switch from Pirates, where he was sidelined before he jumped ship to sign for AmaZulu.
The former Bidvest Wits frontman is so far the only Malawian gracing the DStv Premiership with his compatriots, former AmaZulu defender Limbikani Mzava and ex-Baroka FC striker Richard Mbulu still club-hunting.
Reacting to his goal, the Flames striker-in-chief tweeted: “New Chapter. New Goals. New Plan. Grateful. Let’s get it.”
The goal has also attracted social media reaction, with at OptaJabu tweeting: “1y 2m 7d – Gabadinho Mhango scored his first league goal since June 2021 (v Baroka) – the gap of 1 year 2months & 7 days is his longest between two goals in the competition. Awaited. #DSTVPrem.”
Malawi football administrator and analyst David Kanyenda also acknowledged the achievements of Mhango.
“He has done it for Bloemfontein Celtics, Golden Arrows, Wits University, Orlando Pirates and now Amazulu. Legend!” Kanyenda posted on his Facebook page.
Mzu, who appears to be a Buccaneers’ fan, lamented former Pirates co-coaches Fadlu Davids and Mandla Ncikazi’s decision to frustrate the Malawian out of the Soweto side.
“We let go Gabadinho Mhango & Tshegofatso Mabasa, due to hashed reports of Ncikazi and Fadlu… But we don’t have dependable goalscorers…”
