On song South Africa-based Malawian forward Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango’s agent Mike Makaab says while there has been interest for his client from overseas, there are no formal offers yet.
The 27-year-old Orlando Pirates hitman jointly won the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot Award with Highland Park Namibian forward Peter Shalulile after tying on 16 goals.
Over the years, most of the award’s winners have secured deals overseas.
But in an interview earlier this week, Makaab who owns Prosport International, the agency that manages the Flames forward, said: “There has been interest in Gaba overseas, but we have had no formal offers yet.”
On Mhango’s performance, especially towards the end of the season when he suffered a seven-game goal drought, Makaab said: “He has really had a fantastic season with a joint top goal-scorer achievement in the PSL.
“I do think his momentum, as has been the case with many other footballers, was adversely affected by the break in competition [football suspension] as a preventive measure against the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, but that said, he is a quality professional and we expect even bigger things from him in the upcoming season.”
In February this year, the renown agent warned Pirates that they must be ready to lose Mhango if he maintained his rich vein of form.
Makaab was then quoted by kickoff.com as having said: “I think Pirates need to be ready, not me. We must be grateful to Orlando Pirates for giving him the opportunity.”
In May this year, the agent told our sister newspaper The Nation that the Covid-19 pandemic had affected overseas opportunities for the player.
He said: “At this point, we cannot look at opportunities abroad until we know the mechanisms worldwide of lifting the lockdown restrictions.”
On his part, Mhango said he would jump at an opportunity for an overseas offer.
“But as at now, I am contracted to Pirates and my commitment is to them. Should there be any developments, then my agent will take care of that and advise me accordingly,” he said.
Flames legend Esau ‘Black Mamba’ Kanyenda said this would be the ideal time for Mhango to secure a deal overseas, especially Europe.
The former Europe-based forward, who had stints with top Russian clubs Lokomotiv Moscow and FC Rostov, said: “This is the best time for him to go overseas. Gaba is a [Uefa] Champions League player and considering that next year he will be 28, chances for him to land a lucrative deal will be low.
“With his current form and status as PSL joint top scorer, this is the best time.”
In April, Mhango revealed his ambitious dream to play in the English Premier League (EPL).
“I would like to play [in the] English Premier League because I have always wanted to play EPL [football],” he said when Buccaneers hosted a chat room session with him.
