Gabadihno lights up Standard Bank Trophy

The first goal on three minutes was a killer tap-in. His second coming on the 24th minute was a volley for the football showroom. Gabadinho Mhango’s third after 51 minutes was a chip stolen from Lionel Messi’s franchise.

The venue was Kamuzu Stadium in Blantre. This was Saturday as Gabadinho-inspired Big Bullets dumped Blantyre United out of the Standard Bank Knockout Trophy second preliminary round with a 4-1 thumping.

 

If it were a few years ago, each of his three goals could have been summed up as inspired, motivated and innovative.

 

But with Standard Bank having now revitalised its mantra to moving forward, let us just say Gabadinho is surely driving Bullets to greater heights.

 

After the mauling of United, Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire looked beyond individual stand-out performers on Saturday at the Kamuzu Stadium.

 

“He scored a hat-trick, but this is the fruit of teamwork. There is no longer selfishness. Last season, Gabadinho struggled to score because we were a little bit individualistic. Now, he is benefiting from the teamwork that is there from defence, attack to striking force,” said Mhango.

 

Condemned as self-glory hunter, the 20-year-old now knows when to pass, dribble and take responsibility. On Saturday he made lovely assists for strike Heston Munthali who, thrice missed, in unbelievable fashion in each half.

 

In putting Bullets on the victory path, Gabadinho made the most of United misplaced pass, danced his way towards a defender, pretended to shot then eluded him.

 

The next defender came closing in on him. Gabadinho took thrust his right foot as if to shoot. With the United defender off balance, Gabadinho kept on running with the ball and when he picked the spot, he planted the ball at the near post, wide of veteran goalkeeper Simeon Kapuza.

 

United coaching panel, led by head coach Elia Kananji who never sat down, growled in disbelief at the sight of Gabadinho being gifted a ball on the edge of the penalty box.

 

Munthali made the second, crossing the ball perfectly from the right to pick out the little genius. Gabadinho chested the ball and in a single twist of the body, he buried the ball and ‘keeper Kapuza in the net.

 

To their credit, United kept on believing of a comeback and probing all over the pitch with Victor Limbani controlling the midfield in the face of James Chilapondwa’s harassment.

 

United won a free kick, which Dalitso Sailesi drilled past Bullets goalkeeper Owen Chaima on 31 minutes. The battle continued after break in similar fashion.

 

It got better for Bullets. It was getting worse for United, who conceded the third on 50th minute from Diverson Mlozi’ scissors kick from a left-wing throw-in.

 

A minute later, a looping long pass picked perfectly Gabadinho in the channels. It must have been either defender Wachimwa Sadiki or Greyson Phiri chasing the ball facing his goal while trying to bundle out chasing Gabadinho.

 

The Bullets predator shrugged the bigger and taller defender, stole the ball and chipped it into the net. The party was getting better. It was his fourth goal in two Standard Bank Knockout Trophy games. In total, this campaign in all competitions he has 13 goals in 15 games.

 

With an eye on a TNM Super League meeting with Escom United the following day, coach Eddington Ng’onamo felt Gabadinho had done enough. The stadium rose up to give the young striker a standing ovation as he left the stage for Henry Kabichi.

 

“Yeah, that is Gabadinho,” Ng’onamo summed up the afternoon.

 

With each passing game in his second season in the top flight, the weaknesses are increasingly becoming less perceptible in Gabadinho.

 

He took them to Presidential Cup final with seven goals in three matches, pushed them from mid-table to closer to the top five in the TNM Super League.

 

Not done yet, Gabadinho is ensuring Bullets’ depth and strength of character is tested to the limit as they chase a treble in the Standard Bank Knockout.

 

Just as they lead the preliminary round votes for the participating top four teams, Bullets are also the last team standing. The rest United, Red Lions and Azam Tigers are down and out of the K20 million trophy.

 

Now, Epac FC have the misfortune of being paired in the quarter-final with Bullets. Of course, this will be more of Epac against Gabadinho.