Gabadini still young for professional football—pundits
Some football pundits have said Big Bullets red-hot youthful forward Gabadini ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango is not yet ready for full-scale professional football.
The development comes in the wake of South African National First Division (NFD) side Jomo Cosmos’ interest to assess the player with the intention of signing him.
Locally-based players’ agent Kondie Msungama and seasoned football commentator Moses Dossi said the player should not be rushed to play professional football abroad.
Msungama said he learnt a lesson from Ndaziona Chatsalira whom he took for trials at SuperSport United in the rainbow nation last year.
“At that time, Chatsalira was the most promising player on the local scene, but when he returned from South Africa, he was no longer the same player and I realised that he was rushed.
“Similarly, Gaba is still developing and needs to play another season or two on the domestic scene before he can be taken for trials elsewhere.
“The other drawback is that Cosmos are now in the NFD and it would be tough for a young player such as Gabadini to make the grade because it is tough playing in that league and I doubt if he can be able to handle the pace,” said Msungama.
The agent said he is not against Cosmos’ move neither is he against his fellow agent Ben Chiwaya.
“Ben is my good friend, but I am saying this for the good of the player as well as the club because in the end they [Cosmos and Chiwaya] might be blamed if he slumps in form,” said Msungama.
On his part, Dossi said it would be advisable if the player would join a youth team abroad like was the case with Ngalande.
“If they [Cosmos] want him for their junior team in order to nurture and develop his talent then there would be absolutely no problem.
“But if it is about signing him for their senior team then it would be tricky because my understanding is that the lad is not yet 20 and in the process of developing,” said Dossi.
He added: “Otherwise it would be good if they would be getting him on part-time basis to feature for their youth teams in international tournaments like was the case with the likes of Peter Mponda, Swadick Sanudi and Esau Kanyenda in the past.”
He also said the player’s education needs to be taken into consideration.
However, Chiwaya said if need be they can still sign Gabadini for their youth side.
“I think I already made it clear that we just want the boy for assessment and if he impresses the club coach [Jomo Sono] then he can be signed for the junior side and then we can take it up from there,” said Chiwaya.
The Cosmos agent also said he is still waiting for response from the owners of the player Big Bullets.
“They have not yet come back to me. So, I cannot say much on the issue,” said Chiwaya.
BB general secretary Higger Mkandawire said they were consulting before coming up with a decision.
