Gaba’s luck runs out

Malawi football phenomenon Gabadinho Mhango could either be on his way back home or might have to try his luck with a third South African team.

This is the case as South Africa Premier League’s Bloemfontein Celtic technical director Mich D’Avry revealed that Mhango is not their preferred breed of a striker.

“He is a very good player, but we are looking for someone who can play as a number nine. With him, he is more of a number 10; more of a second striker. We have other players in that position,” he said in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

“His stature is small and all his physical attributes make him more of a second striker. That’s not what we are looking for and that is why we will not sign him. We want someone big; the Didier Drogba type.”

The Nation had called Celtic after reading South Africa media reports that the club on Wednesday signed Lerato Lamola from low- league side Rose United.

Mhango’s initial trials at another South Africa top-league side Amazulu also hit a snag. Reports suggested that the club did not agree terms with his management firm Prosport International.

But Celtic Malawian team manager John Maduka on Wednesday insisted that coach Clinton Larsen was yet to make a final decision on the Bullets striker whose trials are supposed to end on July 31 2013.

“He played in a friendly game and scored. He also came in as a substitute over the weekend. He is still training with us. The coach is happy, but he is looking for a number nine; somebody who can hold the ball and bring others into play,” the ex-Flames captain explained.

Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire on Wednesday said he had no updates on the trials as it was Patrick Mabedi who is dealing directly with Celtic.

Prosport official Michael Makaab on Wednesday simply replied ‘not yet’ when asked through e-mail about updates on Mhango’s trials.

Celtic coach Clinton Larsen did not mention anything about Mhango when commenting on new signings and trialists who featured over the weekend in a tournament.

“Then there is a youngster from FC Cape Town, Keagan Buchanan, who played in both games, and the two Namibian internationals Willy Stephanus and Denzil Haoseb. Willy Stephanus in particular, I think he is going to grow.

“He is a wide player who can take on players and is comfortable on both feet,” Larsen toldwww.kickoff.com