SA club says Gaba now eligible to play
In a dramatic twist to football sensation Gabadinho Mhango’s age controversy, South African club Bloemfontein Celtic claims that he is now eligible for registration.
Celtic technical director Mich d’Avray was responding to a question on whether they will register Gabadinho since his passport and official records show that he was still a minor, which prohibits processing of his international transfer certificate (ITC).
According to official records, Gabadinho only turned 17 last Saturday but rules and regulations of the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) stipulate that the required age for player registration is 18.
However, speaking in a telephone interview from South Africa on Sunday, d’Avray insisted that Gabadinho is eligible for registration and they are currently processing his work permit.
Asked if the player has obtained another passport, which has the correct age as it is rumoured, d’Avray was elusive, saying: “I think you can get that information from his manager.
“But he issued his passport and his age is fine. We are now trying to get his work permit, but we are not sure how long it is going to take.”
The Celtic technical head also said they still have one more slot for a foreigner.
A well-placed source confided in The Nation that Gabadinho’s agency, Prosport International, helped by his former club Big Bullets and family members were in the process of correcting the age anormaly and applied for a new passport for the player recently.
Prosport managing director Mike Makaab could not be reached for comment while facilitator of the deal and Bullets’ ambassador in South Africa, Patrick Mabedi, said he is not aware whether the player has a new passport.
While confirming that there were plans to amend Gabadinho’s age, Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire also said he is not aware whether the player has acquired a new passport.
“That can only be done by family members since Gabadinho’s father came out in the open and confirmed that his son’s true age is 20 and not 16. So, if there are any developments, it should be the family handling it,” said Mkandawire.
Department of Immigration spokesperson Gladys Gonondo said she did not have details pertaining to Gabadinho’s application for a new travel document as she was out of station. She promised to seek the information and come back to The Nation at an opportune time.
But the country’s sole licensed player agent and sports marketing consultant Felix Ngamanya-Sapao said even if the player decided to correct his age, there would be no consequence since he never represented Malawi at junior level on the international stage.
