Orlando Pirates co-coach Fadlu Davids has hinted that Malawian star Gabadinho Mhango is being snubbed at the club due to disciplinary issues.

The explanation follows a series of accusations after the recent sidelining of the Flames striker, who scored three goals in four games at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Cameroon.

Has not featured in four domestic matches: Mhango

Davids told KickOff.com in an interview on the club’s position on Gabadinho who was left out in the squad that played Kaizer Chiefs in a Soweto derby on Sunday: “It is about us trying to find the right possibility to play perhaps with two strikers.

“In relation to team selection, there are various aspects that you look at. First and foremost are you coming to training? Are you punctual in relation to being at training and not having disciplinary issues that take you out of selection? Number one. Tick box.

“Now it is in relation to your performance in training. We look at how you exert yourself in training. How you are performing in training and then try to find the right balance in relation to the line-up which comes back to my first point again. 

“In the first round, Gabadinho Mhango was not available. [Tshegofatso] Mabasa was struggling with injuries, he had a run of five games in that situation. [Zakhele] Lepasa was not available. [Kwame] Peprah was adjusting to the South African game in relation to our playing style.”

Mhango has yet to feature in all four domestic matches played by Pirates this year despite having started off the new year by shining at the Afcon  finals where he scored three goals and finished third on the top scorers’ chart.

In an interview with The Nation, the player was quoted as having said he is concerned with the lack of game time, but insists he will keep on pushing.

He said: “There is nothing I can do about the situation and I really don’t know what is happening. I am good, I am fully fit and working extra hard, but it is like they don’t want me to take part. I don’t know what the coaches’ plans are.”

Orlando Pirates are on fourth position with 32 points from 22 games, a place below Kaizer, who have 35 points and three games in hand.

Mamelodi Sundowns lead the 16-team league with 51 points from 23 games with former Flames captain John Maduka’s team AM Royal on second with 36 points from 21 games.

Meanwhile, The Daily Times reported that four African top teams are monitoring Gabadinho with an intention to recruit him. The teams are Moroccan giants Berkane, Egyptian side Future FC, Tanzania’s Yanga FC and Angolan FC Petro Atletico.

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