Flames red-hot striker Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango is a rejected stone that has become a cornerstone at Orlando Pirates after being turned down by a couple of clubs in South Africa, his manager Mike Makaab has said.
Makaab, who owns Prosport International, has told www.kickoff.com that back in 2012, Mhango was turned down by several clubs, including AmaZulu and Free State Stars.
Mhango ended up at Bloemfontein Celtic before moving to Lamontiville Golden Arrows (2013) and later Bidvest Wits (2016) on loan.
When the loan deal expired Kaizer Chiefs also dilly-dallied in signing Mhango after he was strongly linked with Amakhosi last year.
Makaab hailed the then Bloemfontein Celtic coach Clinton Larsen for giving the striker a chance.
“Listen, we brought Gabadinho Mhango to South Africa many years ago. It’s crazy that he was turned down by a few clubs, the likes of AmaZulu and Free State Stars,” Makaab reveals.
“An amazing player and Clinton Larsen gave him an opportunity at Bloemfontein Celtic. I don’t think people really understood his strengths.”
Mhango is the current Premier Soccer League (PSL) leading scorer with 14 goals and Makaab says the type of football played by the Buccaneers suits the former Nyasa Big Bullets striker.
He said: “He’s in a system where when Pirates go on the front foot, they’ve got a lot of pace, very exciting, their opening of defence is very quick and his runs off the ball, his ability to create space for himself makes him a very class player.
“Outside of that, smooth finisher, very calm and collected. I think we’ve just started to see the great Mhango.”
Makaab has also tipped Mhango to clinch the PSL Golden Boot named after former Pirates striker Lesley Manyathela.
“Without a doubt he can win the award. I think he can even go on and play in Europe, even though he’s at 25/26. He has shown an attribute of a player that can play at a high level,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mhango returns to action on Saturday against Black Leopards after missing the game against following a suspension. He is currently valued at K214 million on the transfer market.
