Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango’s manager Mike Makaab says he is optimistic the player will get his chance at DStv Premiership outfit Orlando Pirates.

He was responding to a question on his take on Mhango’s continued exclusion at the Buccaneers despite his stellar show at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Cameroon.

Did not feature again: Mhango

The Flames striker was not even on the bench when Pirates hosted Algerian side JS Saoura in a CAF Confederations Cup match on Sunday, which Pirates won 2-0.

He said: “We need to be patient. Gaba will get his opportunity.”

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu said Pirates are missing out a lot by ignoring Mhango.

He said: “It’s only a matter of time. They don’t know what they are missing. They will regret.”

In a pre-match interview, Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncinkazi reiterated that Mhango’s impressive performance at the Afcon finals does not guarantee him a place in the team.

He was quoted by South African media as having said: “If a player is in the national team of a certain country, it does not necessarily mean he should be a regular [at his club].

“I am not going to change what I said [earlier] because it’s what I think.”

Mhango was also not on the bench when Pirates beat AmaZulu 1-0 in a Nedbank Cup tie last week.

At Afcon, he scored three goals in three matches, including a 40-metre drive against Morocco in the round of 16 which was tipped as a goal of the tournament.

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