Marinica: Mhango was mistreated at Pirates

Malawi national team coach Mario Marinica has claimed that star player Gabadinho Mhango was "mistreated" at Orlando Pirates. 

The tactician is defending the striker following two below-par performances at the COSAFA Cup in Durban, where his country lost to Lesotho in their Group B opener and then conceded a late penalty to draw with eSwatini two days later.

The Flames were knocked out as a result and played a dead rubber in their final group encounter against Mauritius on Sunday evening.

Marinica says he was fully aware of what was happening with his star attacker at Pirates and feels the way things were handled by the Soweto club was incorrect.

"Obviously we know he had a tough time, particularly with his club, I think he was mistreated by his club. He was not told exactly, 'You are not good enough,' or 'We don't want you,'" the Romanian tactician told SABC Sport in Durban.

"I sat with him, that's the reason I'm the head coach - to have all the information possible, and I have information for every single player so when I pick players, I pick them on merit. So, I know exactly what happened at his former club."

The 29-year-old was suspended by Pirates ten months ago following allegations that he failed to settle a hefty bill at a popular nightclub in Pretoria.

He made a handful of appearances after he returned to training but the writing was on the wall regarding his imminent departure.

Mhango has since joined AmaZulu on a permanent transfer and Marinica confirmed he will not be selecting the player for the upcoming African Nations Championships (CHAN) qualifiers to allow him time to settle in at his new club.

By Mazola Molefe