Richards Bay FC co-coach Ronnie Gabriel has explained how Gabadinho Mhango is transforming the team, acknowledging the Malawian star’s significant impact and influence on the squad’s performance.
Gabriel was speaking after Mhango scored his fourth goal of the season against Sekhukhune United in a Betway Premiership tie at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
Mhango joined the club after a season at fellow Betway Premiership side Marumo Gallants. The 33-year-old has also been in fine form for the Malawian national team, scoring twice during the September FIFA international break.
With Mhango in fine form, Gabriel said that the experienced striker’s influence is rubbing off on the young players at the Natal Rich Boyz.
WHAT RONNIE GABRIEL SAID ABOUT THE IMPACT OF GABADINHO MHANGO
“We think he has had fantastic progress so far; he has been influential,” said Gabriel. “We brought him to score goals, and he has been scoring goals, leading the youngsters as well in terms of guiding them and what is required at this level.
“As you know, we have a young squad, and that type of influence rubs off on the youngsters. So there’s been positive energy in the group.”
RICHARDS BAY SECURE CRUCIAL POINT AGAINST SEKHUKHUNE UNITED IN POLOKWANE
With the draw against Sekhukhune United on Tuesday, Richards Bay are now 11th on the log.
“We must commend the group for the hard work and determination to come back from 1-0 down against a very dominant Sekhukhune in their home ground,” he added.
They dominated us in possession for a lengthy period of the game. They also created goal-scoring chances, but we managed to get our way back. I felt that after they scored the goal, we came back.
“We tried to play a few passes together, and we started to open them up for a few moments, even the equaliser. So I felt even after we got the equaliser, I felt the game could have gone either way.”
RELATED STORY: ‘He is a good example…’: Malawi coach on Gabadinho Mhango