Gabadinho Mhango: ‘More goals coming, PSL about mind-games’

South Africa’s Richards Bay FC temperamental target-man Gabadinho Mhango has addressed questions about his career controversies and dismissed retirement talk.

The Malawian has carved out a niche as an accomplished footballer in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) after clocking 12 years in South Africa’s elite league, otherwise called the Betway Premiership.

The 33-year-old arrived in South Africa as a fresh-faced boy in 2012 when he signed for Bloemfontein Celtic from Malawi champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets. The Flames skipper has won multiple silverware including the PSL title and claiming the Golden Boot Award.

Why Gabadinho Mhango is a PSL star

Gabadinho holds the record as the only Malawian to have played for the most eight PSL teams—Celtic, Bidvest Wits, Orlando Pirates, Lamontville Golden Arrows, AmaZulu, Moroka Swallows, Marumo Gallants and now Richards Bay.

Speaking to the media in Lilongwe on Wednesday in his capacity as the Flames captain, the PSL star took head on issues about his disciplinary record after hitting headlines in South Africa for good and wrong reasons.

@gabadinhoFlames on the show today 🔥18:00 CAT on DSTV channel 128 https://t.co/4QQUP2XP3i

— Lwazi Volsak (@LVolsetto) December 21, 2023

In reaction, the Malawian described issues about his off-the-field behavior as typical media exaggeration and mind games, which he has become accustomed to.

“I love pressure. I know people like to play mind games. I know mind games. In South Africa, they like putting in the [news] paper things they never saw, just to f… you up,” he explained.

Having become a seasoned campaigner for Betway Premiership clubs and now graduated into Malawi captain, Gabadinho insisted that more was yet to come from him.

He scored a few days ago for Richards Bay when they lost 4-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns. The Malawian has since warned that he has enough fuel in his tanks.

“I am still playing football. I can’t put a limit on myself of how many years. When god gives me power, I will still play. About the goals, I think there are more coming. Credit to my team mates. They believe in me and keep me going,” he explained.

The former Bullets star has since played down fears over his suspension from the Flames’ FIFA World Cup qualifier against Equatorial Guinea on Thursday.

He said: “I don’t feel like I am not going to play tomorrow. When you are a group, together you are stronger. I will not be on the pitch, but I will be part of the team.

“In football, everybody is a captain. It is just a matter of choosing one to wear the armband. Being part of the team for a couple of years, I am grateful. Now football is changing from the old Malawi towards a new Malawi. Everyone is getting mature. It is amazing.”

The Malawi skipper then commented on the inclusion of Nigerian-born forward Babatunde Adepoju in the national squad.

“He has been playing in Malawi for quite a long time. He is going to feel like new but to the players, we gave him a warm welcome. We spoke to him yesterday to feel free. We told him that you are now part of the family. Be yourself. Be who you are. Show yourself who you are. You don’t have to be scared,” Gabadinho said.

The Flames star forward is expected to return for the Flames when they face São Tomé Príncipe in Tunisia on Monday.

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