Malawi striker Mhango ends seven-match goal drought with winner for Orlando Pirates

Malawi striker Gabadinho Mhango broke a seven-game goal-drought with the winner for Orlando Pirates against Maritzburg United on Wednesday.

ANA Sports Reporter

JOHANNESBURG, September 3 (ANA) – Malawi striker Gabadinho Mhango ended a seven-match goal-drought on Wednesday as he scored the winner after coming on as a substitute for Orlando Pirates in their 1-0 victory over Maritzburg United, in their SA Premiership match, in Pretoria.

After being relegated to the bench, Mhango stepped onto the pitch to replace Fortune Makaringe in the 83rd minute and his left-foot strike helped Pirates head into the last game of the season only a point away from an African Confederations Cup spot. Pirates are fourth on 49 points, one behind third-placed SuperSport United.

So timely was the goal that it has also helped the Malawi striker to revive his Golden Boot dream after Namibia’s Peter Shalulile had overtaken him following his lone strike in Highlands Park’s 1-0 win over Cape Town City.

The two strikers remain tied at 15 goals apiece going into the last day of the season.

It was also a good day for Mhango’s compatriot Robert Ngambi, as his Black Leopards side managed a 1-0 victory over Bidvest Wits, though his side remains 14th on the table.

Malawian coach John Maduka also maintained his unbeaten run since being appointed Bloemfontein Celtic after holding Arrows to a goalless draw.

Celtic is ninth on the table with 36 points and may finish in the top-eight if they collect maximum points in their last game, and if Highlands Park, which also features Malawian defender Limbikani Mzava, drops points.

For Flames duo Gerald Phiri Jnr and Richard Mbulu, it was yet another bad evening as they slipped to a 4-1 defeat to SuperSport United. – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman