Zothwane Confirms Mhango’s Season Over
Richards Bay co-coach Papi Zothwane has confirmed that Gabadinho Mhango will play no further part this season due to a long-term injury.
Zothwane revealed that the striker is still recovering from an injury he sustained in November last year when the Natal Rich Boyz defeated AmaZulu 2-0 at Umhlathuze Sports Complex.
The former Orlando Pirates forward played only 27 minutes in that match and was later seen leaving the stadium with the assistance of crutches.
Mhango, who also previously played for AmaZulu, has not featured since that match and has missed eight games across all competitions.
When asked whether the Malawian international would return before the end of the campaign — his first season at the club after joining from Marumo Gallants during the off-season — Zothwane confirmed his absence.
“Gaba is still injured. He won’t be available for the rest of the season,” said Zothwane after Bay’s 2-1 defeat to AmaZulu in a Betway Premiership match at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
“He won’t be back this season.”
Before the injury setback, Mhango had made 17 appearances in all competitions and scored four goals.
In his absence, Zothwane and his fellow coaches have relied on Knox Mutizwa and Lundi Mahala to lead the attack.
A win against AmaZulu would have seen the Natal Rich Boyz climb into the top eight with 26 points after 21 matches.
“I think today [Saturday] was not a game with many chances,” Zothwane reflected.
“The KZN derby is not about what happened before, but about who wants it the most. I think we wanted it, but AmaZulu wanted it more because they are competing for a top-four finish.
“If we had won this game, we would have moved into the top eight. Unfortunately, with the goals we conceded, I think we could have done better. But credit must go to AmaZulu; they were clinical with the chances they created.
“For us, we could have defended better, especially with the second goal.
“But overall, I can’t fault the players’ effort. We knew that in the second half our players would be tired after the match we played on Wednesday away against Orlando Pirates, which took a lot out of them.
“We just have to move on, give credit to AmaZulu, and focus on the next match against Durban City FC.”
