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 finishing third on the top scorers’ charts.
Though Pirates have only scored twice in those four matches, Mhango has still found himself side-lined raising questions about how the confidence gained at the AFCON could go to waste.
"It is about us trying to find the right possibility to play perhaps with two strikers," notes Fadlu Davids, the Pirates interim co-coach when asked about Mhango yet again.
"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. That is about us finding the right possibilities now that we suddenly have…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.
"(Boitumelo) Radiopane first season in the PSL, integrating him in certain matches and seeing the huge potential that he has. Now taking a step back but still training with us and still improving in all our training sessions and fighting for a place. Then playing minutes when he is not in the squad and already scoring 17 goals in the DDC (DStv Diski Challenge). Each player has their role to play, and it is about us finding that moment and chemistry in the line-up whether it is with two strikers or one striker or three number 10s but we need all our players to chip in.
"It is about finding the right possibilities for the player that is going to lead the line to bring the best not out of him but contributing to the overall team structure and him bringing the best out of other players playing around him," says Davids.
