Gaba rated SA’s super sub
South Africa-based Malawian prolific forward Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango has emerged as the most effective goals-corer off the bench in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) over the last 10 decade.
According to supersport.com, the Orlando Pirates hitman, who is the leading scorer in the Absa Premiership with 14 goals, has netted 12 times on the 40 occasions he has been thrown in as a substitute.
“The Malawi international also holds a more obscure accolade in the top-flight,” reads part of the story carried by the publication
It says Mhango racked up that record playing for Bloemfontein Celtic, Lamontville Golden Arrows, Bidvest Wits and now Pirates.
He has 48 Premiership goals in 132 appearances, meaning a quarter of those have been scored off the bench.
In an interview from his Johannesburg base yesterday, Mhango said he did not know about the statistics until he read it on supersport.com.
“I was really amazed when I read about the statistics. Perhaps it shows that I am able to read the game from the bench and add value when I come in as a substitute,” he said.
However, on a rather lighter moment, the 27-year-old marksman said: “I hope I won’t be relegated to the bench because of the statistics so that I should be used sparingly as a super substitute.”
His compatriot and Pirates legend Ernest ‘Wire’ Mtawali said the statistics demonstrated how efficient and valuable Mhango is.
He said: “It takes a player who is creative to make an impact when thrown in as a substitute and it is not surprising that the statistics speak volumes about his effectiveness.”
According to the report, two more players are also on 12 goals as substitutes, but it has taken them considerably longer to get there.
Maritzburg United striker Judas Moseamedi has 12 goals from 66 substitute appearances, while veteran AmaZulu forward Lehlohonolo Majoro has also netted a dozen times, but from 82 showings off the bench.
Of the players just behind them, Gift Motupa has scored nine times from 41 games as a substitute.
Last week, supersport.com also named Mhango among the top five Malawian players to have starred in the PSL.
The others were Mtawali, Patrick Mabedi, John Maduka and Robert Ng’ambi.
