Gaba linked to AmaZulu

South Africa-based Orlando pirates want-away forward Gabadinho Mhango has reportedly agreed terms with another DStv Premiership side AmaZulu FC.

South African online football publication KickOff.Com on Wednesday reported that Usuthuare believed to have made a statement of intent by reportedly capturing the signature of the Flames forward.

Ironically, he is also linked with a move to another South African top-flight league side Royal AM coached by his compatriot John Maduka.

The development comes a day after the 29-year-old’s manager Mike Makaab confirmed to South African media that Pirates’ chairperson Irvin Khoza had given him his blessing to take the player elsewhere if he does not form part of the technical team’s plans for next season.

KickOff.Com quotes a source close to the deal, confirming that the Bucs and Usuthu have finalised all details of the transfer.

“Yes I can confirm that Gabadinho Mhango is going to AmaZulu,” the source is quoted as having said.

AmaZulu FC president Sandile Zungu said it was still too early after the conclusion of the season to comment on any club incomings or outgoings while Mhango and Makaab could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

Makaab is quoted by Soccer Laduma as having met Khoza on the player’s future.

“I’ve met the chairperson [Khoza] and a lot will depend on whether the technical staff see Gaba as part of the plans for the new season.

If not, and we should know very soon, then the chairperson has given me his blessing to look for another club for Gaba, as long as the deal is fair for both Pirates and the player, then I think we can probably do something,” Makaab was quoted as having said.

“He is quite happy to stay at Orlando Pirates, if that’s the call from the technical staff. But he is also happy to look at a new opportunity if he is not part of the technical staff’s plans going forward.”

Mhango has been reduced to a sideshow at Pirates and has only made two starts this season.

His stellar performance for the Flames at the delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon where he was among the leading scorers with three goals, did not help his cause.

Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncinkazi is on record as having said the player’s performance at the continental showpiece was no guarantee for a place in the Bucs’ starting line-up.

Three weeks ago, Mhango told our sister paper, Weekend Nation, that he had agreed to mutually part ways with Pirates having endured a frustrating season.

Should he move to AmaZulu, he will team up with his compatriot  and Flames captain Limbikani Mzava.

Pirates exercised an option to extend Mhango’s contract by another two years just before the Afcon finals held in Cameroon.