Mhango delights in derby goal after successful season
Orlando Pirates striker Gabandinho Mhango has picked out his goal against Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby as his most memorable in a campaign in which he netted 16 times in the Absa Premiership to finish joint top of the scorers’ charts.
Mhango grabbed a Derby goal in the 3-2 loss last November, instantly endearing himself to The Ghost, and would go on to help his side to third in the league and a place in the 202021 CAF Confederation Cup.
“All goals are good goals, but there are a few that even when you watch them again and again, they leave you saying ‘wow’,” he told the club’s website as he reflected on his season.
“I would say my goal against Kaizer Chiefs was good. Oh, and the one against Polokwane City. It’s something that I have been working on at training. I even like to score similar goals when play Fifa on PlayStation.
“It’s where I cut onto my right foot and then curl a shot to the top corner.”
The Malawi international reveals he reached his pre-season target for goals after arriving at Pirates from Bidvest Wits, but will be looking to build on that in the new campaign.
“Before the season started my target was to score 15 goals. I always believed that I have the ability to score goals and I did just that, but credit must also go to my teammates. I am not alone out there on the field; I have quality players around me who made this all possible.”
He also feels vindicated after a less than enthusiastic welcome from some of the club’s fans.
“When I joined the club, I read some comments on social media about me. Some people were saying, ‘why sign Mhango, we need a goal scorer not Mhango’, and stuff like that.
“Obviously as players we try as much as possible to avoid reading negative comments but sometimes it’s impossible to ignore them. But I believe in myself and that is why I never allowed the negative voices to get into my head.”
As much as this season has been a personal triumph, he admits that what he would most cherish is team glory and that means winning silverware for the first time since 2014.
“You can win a Top Goalscorer award but at the end of the day, what matters most is what we achieve as a team. This club is due a trophy and it’s up to all of us to make it happen.
“I truly believe that with the players that we have, we can achieve whatever we set our minds on.” —
This club is due a trophy and it’s up to all of us to make it happen