×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Davids says Mhango has to fight for Pirates place, hints at discipline issue

Orlando Pirates coach Fadlu Davids during a Nedbank Cup press conference at Rand Stadium in Johannesburg on March 7 2022.
Orlando Pirates coach Fadlu Davids during a Nedbank Cup press conference at Rand Stadium in Johannesburg on March 7 2022.
Image: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

There are many quality strikers at Orlando Pirates, and suddenly they are all fit again, Fadlu Davids has said in what the Bucs co-coach seemed to hope might be the final word on why Gabadinho Mhango is battling for game time at the club.

Interestingly, as the Buccaneers prepared to face Marumo Gallants in Wednesday’s Nedbank Cup last-16 clash at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening (kickoff 6pm), Davids dropped a hint that discipline issues might also be at play in Mhango’s struggles at Pirates.

Mhango, who started for upstarts Malawi with three goals at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, has played just four times for Pirates in 2021-22, and not yet this year.

Bucs’ coaches have grown weary of answering why, with Davids’ co-coach Mandla Ncikazi having said perhaps the DStv Premiership is a higher standard than the Nations Cup.

Davids pointed out that Bucs’ walking wounded among their strong striking line-up of regular starter Kwame Peprah, Mhango, Tshegofatsho Mabasa, Zakhele Lepasa, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Boitumelo Radiopane are finally all fit again, and competition for a place is strong.

 “No, I don’t think it’s fair to talk about Gabadinho Mhango again, in relation to our strikers,” Davids said.

“And you talk about Radiopane, Mabasa, Mhango, Dzvukamanja, Lepasa and Peprah.

“At the moment Peprah has scored in the last match and it’s healthy competition. Lepasa, has done well whenever he has come on.

“Dzvukamanja in the last second of the derby should have scored. Mhango, Radiopane, Mabasa are working extremely hard to push and get themselves not only into the team but the starting line-up.

“And like I said last week, it’s up to us coaches to try to find a way. Now suddenly where we have six strikers available, is it a moment to change and have two strikers in and four out?

“Those are the things we’re trying to work on to find which is the best chemistry in terms of is it two strikers, what type of strikers; do you want one who can hold up and one more mobile, one dropping into to the pickets, one who shoots from distance?”

Even though he said he felt he should not have to speak about Mhango again, Davids was pressed on if he can explain what the Malawian perhaps lacks, as opposed to the benefits Bucs’ coaches feel Ghanaian Peprah, who starts almost every game, brings.

Davids laid out Bucs’ coaching staff’s criteria for being selected to play.

“In relation to team selection there are various aspects you look at. First, are you coming to training? Are you punctual in relation to being at training, and not having disciplinary issues that take you out of training?” the coach said.

“Tick the first box. Then it’s in relation to your performance in training. How you exert yourself in training, how you perform.

“And then trying to find the right balance in the line-up. And coming back to my first point, that is about us finding the right possibilities now that we suddenly have [six strikers].

“In the first round we did not have Gabadinho Mhango, Mabasa was struggling with injuries, Lepasa was not available, Peprah was adapting to the SA game in relation to the physicality and style. Radiopane is having his first season in the PSL, and we’re integrating him in certain matches and seeing the huge potential he has.

“And now taking a step back, with him still training with us, still improving still fighting for a place, and then playing minutes in the DDC [reserve team] when he’s not in the senior squad, and scoring 17 goals.

“So each player has their role to play. And it’s about us finding that moment and chemistry, whether it’s with two strikers, or one striker and three No.10s, or three running beyond the striker.

“But we need all our players, not just our strikers to chip in. We have [right wingback Bandile] Shandu as our top scorer with six goals, Deon Hotto on the other side, Peprah who’s now also on six goals.”

Pirates go into their Nedbank Clash coming off their 2-1 league Soweto derby defeat to Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.


Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.