Pirates coach certifies Gaba fit to play
South African top outfit Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer says Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango looks ready and needs game time.
The German said this in an interview with timeslive.co.za ahead of tomorrow’s DStv Premiership clash against champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
He said while the Buccaneers will miss injured striker Zakhele Lepasa‚ he is happy that Mhango, who scored the winning goal in their victory against the Brazilians in January last year, will be available.
The 2019/20 Premier Soccer League Golden Boot Award winner played his first full match after recovering from injury in Bucs’ 1-0 win against Sagrada Esperance in a CAF Confederation Cup first round game in Angola last week.
“Gaba [Mhango] is close to 100 percent and now needs the time and games‚” said Zinnbauer of his prolific forward who scored 16 league goals for Pirates last season.
“We have seven games in January and we need all the players. Gaba is not the only player important to us, but all the players are.
“We have so many attacking players. We have [Terrence] Dzvukamanja who can also play as a striker,” he said.
In an interview yesterday, Gaba said he is looking forward to getting a run tomorrow.
“I was happy to play a full game in Angola and hopefully I will also be featured on Saturday should I be in the coach’s plans,” he said.
Sundowns top the 16-team top-flight with 18 points from eight matches while Pirates are fifth with 13 points from seven games.
Both teams are also unbeaten.
Malawian coach John Maduka’s side Bloemfontein Celtic will be away to Maritzburg United.
