Gabadinho Mhango Pirates

Orlando Pirates’ Malawian striker Gabadinho Mhango is heading to Pirates. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Unhappy Mhango confirms: I’m so RELIEVED to be leaving Pirates

Gabadinho Mhango has confirmed he is leaving Orlando Pirates after a ‘stressful season’ and ‘issues’ at the Soweto club.

Gabadinho Mhango Pirates

Orlando Pirates’ Malawian striker Gabadinho Mhango is heading to Pirates. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Mhango has been conspicuous by his absence from regular action at the Buccaneers this season, especially considering how the striker had impressed for Malawi at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

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The 29-year-old enjoyed an unforgettable debut season at Pirates, and was one of the standouts for Malawi at the recent Afcon event, but that has not led to automatic selection on his return to the Buccaneers.

He has now hit out at Pirates after growing disillusioned at the club.

“We had a meeting recently and both parties agreed by mutual consent to part ways,” Mhango told Malawian publication, The Nation.

“It is a huge relief to me because I was hardly enjoying game time. 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.

“Of course, there were issues, but they were blown out of proportion. I have been training hard…I have been outstanding during training, but surprisingly, the coaches have been ignoring me and there is nothing I can do about it. It could be something personal, I really don’t know.”

According to a recently article published by Phakaaathi, Mhango was always set to leave Pirates, with a deal in Sweden reported to be an option on the table.

However, it will also be interesting to see whether Kaizer Chiefs could swoop in to sign the striker.

“He [my agent] told me that there are a few clubs that he is talking to and we are having another meeting today [Friday] for an update,” Mhango said.

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There have been ongoing calls for Mhango to consider leaving Pirates

Malawi assistant coach Meck Mwase openly stated that Mhango should eye a transfer away from the club.

“He must not challenge the coach but continue working hard,” Mwase told Malawi Times. “It will be good if he can switch teams. It is unfortunate that the coach is belittling Afcon when South Africa didn’t qualify.”

These views were echoed by Malawi’s National Coaches Association Chairperson Aubrey Nankhuni.

“It just shows that some officials do not want him at Pirates. This was a time to get the best out of him,” Nankhuni said.

“The best Gaba [Mhango] can do is to continue working hard and, at the same time, request his manager to secure him a move, even if it be a loan move.”