Former Orlando Pirates captain Tonic Chabalala has slammed co-coaches Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids for opting not to play Gabadinho Mhango at the club. The Malawian international had a virtuous performance for his country at the African Cup of Nations finishing as joint-third top goalscorer, but has now only played seven matches overall for the Sea Robbers.

After Pirates’ co-coaches have subsequently excluded the Malawian talisman from selection in most of their matches, Chabalala has criticised the mentors for their inability to manage Mhango. “When you are a player, even a good player, you perform well for a coach who believes in you,” Chabalala said.

“It’s like at home, when your Parents like you, you won’t disappoint them, you will do better for them, so this Mhango situation is like that. “Even if you are off form, if coaches trust you, you play better, so I think the co-coaches are letting Mhango down, they kill his confidence, they don’t motivate him.

“When you are a coach, you have to encourage all of your players, you don’t choose or do favoritism because at the end of the day you will need all of them.”I think they listen and focus to what people say about Mhango’s off field behaviour, but sometimes let’s focus on what he does in the field, they just have to motivate him, boost his confidence.”