One of the all-time leading goalscorers of Malawian football has secured a transfer to a top South African Premier Division team.
Gabadinho Mhango has left AmaZulu to join the Moroka Swallows, an up-and-coming outfit who have had a busy transfer window.
The 30-year-old has linked up with his new colleagues for the start of the new season, which got underway on August 4.
Swallows Aiming to Fly High
The South African Premier Division remains one of the most popular on the continent, with large crowds – Cape Town City continue to draw attendances in excess of 20,000 for home games – and substantial financial backing from title sponsors DStv.
There’s a global interest in the competition as well, with those that bet on sports in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world able to access South African Premier Division odds. Live games are available to stream too, with the DStv Premiership, the English Premier League and other competitions jostling for the interest of Malawian fans.
There’s no surprise as to who the sports betting tips are backing to win the 2023/24 title, with Mamelodi Sundowns looking to make it seven straight championships – the fact that they were 1.44 favourites to beat old rivals Kaizer Chiefs early in the season speaks volumes. The giants of South African football made five signings during the winter transfer window in their quest for a magnificent seventh straight title, who will join last season’s joint top goalscorer in the league, Peter Shalulile, assist king Thapelo Morena and internationals like Teboho Mokoena and Rushine De Reuck.
As for the Swallows, they too were active in the transfer window. Mhango will be joined in Soweto by former AmaZulu teammate Dumisani Zuma, Orlando Pirates forward Tshegofatso Mabasa and ex-South African international Andile Jali, to name just three of their eight signings.
Mhango, who had previously been heavily linked with a switch to Kaizer Chiefs, will be one of three Malawians strutting their stuff in the South African Premier Division this term, with Limbikani Mzava and Khuda Muyaba mainstays at AmaZulu and Polokwane City respectively.
He had previously revealed that he was ‘happy’ at AmaZulu, but wanted to return to play his football in Johannesburg. “When the move came, I said I will take this chance, I will take this opportunity,” he said.
Will a return to a happy hunting ground spark further success on the pitch?
Small But Mighty
He may only stand 5ft 4in tall, but opposition defenders would do well not to underestimate Mhango.
The striker has netted more than 50 goals in African club football, and he’s also scored some big goals for the Malawi national team too.
Mhngo notched twice at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, with his outstanding strike against Morocco nominated as one of the top three goals of the competition. He’s also scored five times in AFCON qualifiers and on six occasions in the COSAFA Cup, so this is a player who knows the route to goal.
He could be paired up front with an old teammate in Mabasa, with whom he enjoyed a fruitful partnership at the Orlando Pirates. Could the duo fire Moroka Swallows to glory in South Africa’s top tier this term?
