South Africa’s DSTV Premiership outfit Orlando Pirates paid the price for side-lining Flames talisman Gabadinho Mhango, having failed to collect maximum points the previous night. The Soweto giants were frustrated by Golden Arrows as they played out to a barren draw in a game that they needed a win to close the gap between them and league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns to 15 points. Pirates denied Mhango an opportunity to clad their colours despite his impressive performance at this year’s African Cup of Nations.
Ever since the 29 year old returned from national duty, the club has not used the lethal forward. According to Orlando Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi, Gabadinho’s impressive outing at the Afcon does not guarantee him a spot in his first 11. Ncikazi went on to claim that South Africa’s topflight league is bigger than Afcon, remarks which sparked debate.
Worse still, Gaba does not even make it on the bench, a development which has raised concern among Malawians.