Orlando Pirates Coach Ncikazi Suggests PSL Is Bigger Than AFCON to Explain Gabadinho Mhango's Exclusion

• Orlando Pirates co-coach suggested that the Premier League Soccer could be bigger than the African Cup of Nations
• Ncikazi's claim was to contextualise why the in-form Malawian striker Gabadinho Mhango was left out of the starting lineup for a Nedbank Cup tie against Amazulu
• Mhango was a revelation at the tournament, scoring three goals which helped the team qualify for the knockouts for the very first time

Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi made a suggestion that set tongues wagging in local football circles.

Ncikazi, speaking in the aftermath of Orlando Pirates' 1-0 win over Amazulu in the Nedbank Cup, casually exclaimed that the Premier Soccer League could be bigger than the African Cup of Nations. This was to contextualise why red-hot striker Gabadinho Mhango was left out of the starting lineup.

Ncikazi made the comments to SuperSport's Phumlani Msibi in a post-match interview. Mhango had an excellent outing in Cameroon, helping the team escape the group stage for the very first time in the country's history.

Malawian Gabadinho Mhango's AFCON 2021 Goal of the Tournament contender captures world football's attention

Football

KickOff quoted Ncikazi as saying:

"Maybe the choice, with respect, the choice at Pirates was to consider players who have been preparing for the past weeks whereas Mhango just came back. We know he is a good player so it's not because anything is wrong with him, it's just competition.

"So, Mhango will wait like all other players. We recognise and acknowledge his performance at the Afcon but maybe the league in South Africa is bigger than the Afcon, but that is a question for another day."

Malawian Gabadinho Mhango's AFCON 2021 Goal of The Tournament contender captures world football's attention

World football reverberated because of Malawi forward Gabadinho Mhango's outrageous goal against Morocco at the African Cup of Nations.

As reported on Sports Brief, the Orlando Pirates poacher appeared determined to underline his remarkable inclusion in the FIFA 22 Ultimate Team of the Week with a hit worthy of this accolade.

Mhango's goal came in the seventh minute of the match, with the striker receiving the ball from John Banda from inside Malawi's own half. The striker took that pass and cut towards goal before rifling a shot from 35 metres out.