Linda Ximba
AmaZulu FC’s new star striker Hellings “Gabadinho” Mhango has revealed that he’d received offers to play football in Europe before he joined the Durban club.
But instead Orlando Pirates, with whom he had a two-year contract, bizarrely didn’t entertain the offers.
Catching up with Scrolla.Africa while doing duty for Malawi at the Cosafa Cup in Durban, Mhango didn’t hide his heartache at his failed move to Europe.
“I can confirm I had offers from France, Germany, Spain and Belgium but I think because I still had a two-year contract with Pirates, maybe that’s why I couldn’t be released. That hurts because it’s every player’s dream to play in Europe.
“Even before I accepted the AmaZulu offer, Chiefs and Sundowns had enquired about my services but Pirates shipped me to AmaZulu,” said Mhango.
Mhango also claimed that Mamelodi Sundowns enquired for him but Pirates sent him to AmaZulu.
The diminutive striker courted attention during mid-season when Pirates co-coaches Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids benched him despite his performance with the Malawian national team.
After his heroics at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Cameroon, where he finished with three goals in three games, it was expected he would get some game time.
But he remained on the Pirates bench and a move away from Soweto seemed likely for the 29-year-old.
At the end of the season Mhango was eventually released by Pirates and was swapped with defender Thapelo Xoki.
The former Bloemfontein Celtic and Lamontville Golden Arrows forward said he has put his Pirates frustrations behind him.
“What happened in the past maybe means that I was meant to go through it. Being at AmaZulu now presents another chance to showcase my abilities. I may be 29 years of age at the moment but the desire to play overseas has not diminished.
“I am looking forward to having a productive stay at AmaZulu and helping the club achieve its mandate,” he said.
