Malawi's Gabadinho Mhango Gets Orlando Pirates Contract Extension After Brilliant AFCON 2021 Showing

• After speculation over "will-he-won't-he", red-hot forward Gabadinho Mhango has extended his contract with Orlando Pirates
• The Malawian star had an outstanding 2021 African Cup of Nations campaign in Cameroon, including scoring a goal-of-the-tournament contender
• Mhango was not enjoying his stay at Pirates this season, receiving very limited playing time when he extended his contract

Red-hot Malawian striker Gabadinho Mhango will stay on at Orlando Pirates, ending months of speculation about his immediate footballing future.

Mhango had a sensational 2021 African Cup of Nations for The Flames, including scoring one of the best goals in the competition's history. His performances also saw him being selected in the prestigious FIFA 22 Ultimate Team of the Week for Round 18.

This run of form comes in spite of his very limited game time at the Buccaneers this season, with rumours of him looking beyond the team starting to swirl. However, his agent Mike Makaab swiftly put these to bed, with Mhango's contract meant to expire at the end of the current season.

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Makaab told iDiskiTimes:

“Pirates have exercised his option so he will continue with them until 2023. What’s important, without going into too much detail, is that I think he let himself down with his performances after such a fantastic previous season.

“It’s my belief, not hope, that this will be the catalyst for us to see what Gaba is really capable of doing and I think he can really grow from the fantastic season he had at Pirates previously.”

Things are going so well for Mhango at the moment that UK-based publication the Daily Star reported that his sensational strike against Morocco could be in line for the FIFA Puskas Award.

As detailed on FIFA's website, is given to the player judged to have scored the most aesthetically significant goal, regardless of championship, gender or nationality and scored without the result of luck or a mistake and in support of fair play.

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Malawi's Flames win hearts after courageous showing in tough Last 16 defeat by Morocco

In-form striker Gabadinho Mhango spearheaded Malawi's gallant display at the 2021 African Cup of Nations, which won the team plaudits across the continent.

As reported on Sports Brief, the tournament saw The Flames reach the knockout stages of the African Cup of Nations for the very first time after escaping from a rather tough group B.

However, it all ended with a 2-1 loss against the Atlas Lions of Morocco, who will take on Egypt in a north African grudge match in the quarterfinals.