Ex-Orlando Pirates forward Gabadinho’s heart has a goal – Pasuwa

Malawi mentor Kalisto Pasuwa has shared insights on former Orlando Pirates striker Gabadinho Mhango’s knack for scoring sensational goals for club and country.

The Zimbabwean trainer told the media in Malawi that he is not surprised by Gabadinho’s unique scoring abilities, as he has goals in his heart.’

The coach cited the stunning strike the former South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) Golden Boot Award winner scored at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Cameroon.

Gabadinho’s stunner at 2021 AFCON

The 32-year-old, then on the books of Pirates, gave Malawi a surprise lead against Morocco.

Receiving the ball down the left channel, Gabadinho cut inside then let fly a curling shot beyond the outstretched palms of the Atlas Lions goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. The ball eventually settled inside the far-post pocket on the net.

The North Africans eventually responded to win the game 2-1, but there was no doubt that the pint-sized Flames forward left an indelible mark on the psyche of the AFCON finals. Little wonder the effort earned the Goal of the Year nomination.

Now, after a slow start to the 2025-2026 Betway Premiership season in which he has scored just once, Gabadinho chose the perfect stage to remind fans of his old self.

The Richards Bay star turns hands of time

The Richard Bay FC striker took fans down the memory lane with a goal for the archives during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Botswana on Friday.

The Flames were then leading 1-0 courtesy of Richard Mbulu’s fifth-minute goal when Gabadinho did his magic.

He intercepted a misplaced pass on the centre circle, then without hesitation in the same movement chipped a long ball dipping into the net.

The former Pirates star showed his football intelligence, combining split vision and anticipation to score.

The second goal went a long way in securing the Flames their victory in the Group H match.

Addressing the media on Sunday in Lilongwe, Pasuwa said he was not surprised with the manner in which the PSL star scored.

“He is such a kind of a player,” the coach said.

“It is not the first goal he has scored like the way he scored a day before yesterday. I saw the one against Morocco; he did the same thing.”

What sets Gabadinho apart

The former FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ award-winning coach explained what sets Gabadinho apart from the rest of players for Malawi.

“He is someone who has a goal in his heart,” Pasuwa explained.

“That is what we are looking for in some of these players in the team. You need to look at the positioning of the goalkeeper all the time.

“Then the moment you get the ball, you need to make a forward pass and a forward run. That is one thing some of the local players in the COSAFA and CHAN team should be copying so that we can grow.”

Gabadinho has now scored two goals in four World Cup qualifying games for Group H since Pasuwa recalled him.

Previous coach Patrick Mabedi, a Kaizer Chiefs legend, had dropped the former Marumo Gallants player, saying he was old.

More will be expected from Gabadinho when Malawi host Liberia in yet another World Cup qualifier on Monday.

⚽ Follow Pan-Africa Football across platforms for real-time news and stories.