Orlando Pirates' Exclusion of Gabadinho Mhango Sees Social Media Take Aim at Co-Coaches Ncikazi and Davids

• Malawian star Gabadinho Mhango's sidelining from the Orlando Pirates has set off another firestorm on social media
• Mhango did not feature as Orlando Pirates was held to an insipid 0-0 draw by Cape Town City in the DStv Premiership
• Co-coaches Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids were targeted in criticism from angry and annoyed Pirates supporters

The continued exclusion of Gabadinho Mhango from the Orlando Pirates team is ticking off the team's fans. This was in the wake of another flat performance by the Buccaneers' tame 0-0 draw against Cape Town City last night in the DStv Premiership.

Mhango, who had a sensational 2021 African Cup of Nations for Malawi recently, has only featured once since returning from the tournament. This was as a substitute in the 2-3 loss to Al Ittihad in the CAF Champions League two weekends ago, a cameo in which he admittedly did impress.

However, that was the only time he got to make an appearance, with him either being on the bench or sitting in the stands as Pirates continued to fire blanks in the league. Last night's draw saw them on the verge of being mathematically eliminated from the title race as Mamelodi Sundowns took another step towards a fifth consecutive league championship.

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Naturally, Pirates fans on social media were unamused about the latest development, with co-coaches Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids bearing the brunt of the criticism.

@MatthewsMahlubi said:

"I don't think Mhango would ever feel comfortable playing for Ngcikazi again. So it's a situation of one of them must bite the dust, for the benefit of the team. Pirates need an internationally experienced coach, one who values AFCON."

@Tshingana904 said:

"Ncikazi treats Orlando Pirates like Golden Arrows where he played the games to survive relegation, be comfortable in the top 8 if the situation permits and no ambitions of winning the league. Hence, too defensive and cannot play the likes of Mhango. The sooner he goes, the better."

Orlando Pirates coach Ncikazi suggests PSL Is bigger than AFCON to explain Gabadinho Mhango's exclusion

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

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As reported by Sports Brief, 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.