Mhango Returns To Richards Bay For The Rescue Mission

Sportswire has learnt that veteran striker Gabadinho Mhango has returned to Richards Bay.

Mhango was believed to have left the club at the end of last season, but that appears not to have been the case, as he has been recovering from an injury.

The former Orlando Pirates striker sustained a foot injury in November last year when the Natal Rich Boyz defeated AmaZulu 2-0 at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex.

The Malawi forward played just 27 minutes in that match before he was later seen leaving the stadium on crutches.

The former AmaZulu striker has not featured since then, having made 17 appearances in all competitions and scored four goals.

Club chairman Sifiso Biyela confirmed to this website that Mhango is back at the club but is currently undergoing rehabilitation.

“He has recovered but is on rehab,” Biyela told Sportswire.

The 33-year-old joined Richards Bay at the start of last season from Marumo Gallants.

The temperamental striker, who has played for nine clubs in the PSL – including spells with AmaZulu and Moroka Swallows – has made 293 appearances in all competitions since arriving in South Africa during the 2013/14 season, scoring 80 goals and providing 17 assists.

Along the way, he won the Betway Premiership title with Bidvest Wits in the 2016/17 season, as well as the MTN8 with Gavin Hunt in the same campaign.

He also won the Carling Knockout with Hunt at Wits the following season, when the club defeated Bloemfontein Celtic, another of Mhango’s former clubs.

Mhango also won the MTN8 with Orlando Pirates in the 2020/21 season.

Individually, Mhango shared the PSL Golden Shoe award with former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile in the 2019/20 season.

Mhango’s return to Natal comes at a time when Richards Bay are struggling in the Betway Premiership.

The club sit third from bottom of the table with three points after seven matches, one place above 15th-placed Siwelele.

Richards Bay, Siwelele and bottom side Marumo Gallants are yet to win a league match this season.

Interestingly, all three clubs have changed coaches during a difficult start to the campaign.

The Natal Rich Boyz parted ways with coach Ronnie Gabriel following a 5-1 defeat to Milford FC.

They have since appointed Dimitar Nikolaev Pantev as their new head coach.

Richards Bay will resume their campaign after the FIFA international break when they host Mamelodi Sundowns at Princess Magogo Stadium on 17 October.

It will be a major test for Pantev.