Gabadinho Mhango Reflects on His Near Move to Kaizer Chiefs and How His Dream Transfer to Naturena Was Suddenly Halted

Kaizer Chiefs fans may feel a bit of heartbreak after hearing the story of Gabadinho Mhango, the former Orlando Pirates striker, who came incredibly close to joining the Amakhosi.

His journey to what many thought was a major transfer took an unexpected turn, leaving him with bittersweet memories.

The Unexpected Twist in Mhango’s Career

Mhango had been playing for AmaZulu FC when he made the decision to leave the club.

He was all set to make a move to Naturena, the home of Kaizer Chiefs. However, as he was traveling from OR Tambo International Airport to sign with the club, things took an unexpected turn.

“I was close to Naturena to sign for the team, and things just turned around.

I was like, wow!” Mhango recalled in a conversation with iDiski Times. What was supposed to be an exciting new chapter in his career quickly became a story of unfulfilled promise.

A Dream of Joining Kaizer Chiefs

For Mhango, the move to Kaizer Chiefs wasn’t just about playing for another club—it was a dream. He had been inspired by Bernard Parker, a player he admired deeply.

“A player that inspired me at Chiefs was Bernard Parker,” Mhango said. He recalled a moment from his national team days when Parker gave him a flag after a friendly match in Durban.

This act of kindness stayed with him and motivated him to dream of one day joining Chiefs. “Since then, it became an inspiration for me to be at Chiefs,” Mhango added.

The idea of playing for the same team as his idol was something that filled him with excitement.

The Heartbreak of a Dream Deferred

As Mhango got closer to signing with Chiefs, excitement was building—he was ready to take the next step in his career.

“Imagine I’m going to play for the team with the player that I’ve been supporting, and this player gave me this flag,” he said.

His family and fans were all cheering him on, and the news of the potential transfer was even covered in the media. “It was amazing, I was excited. Even the whole country, it was even on the news and everywhere,” he recalled.

But, just as he was about to sign, things changed dramatically.

On the day of the deal, while standing at the door of Naturena, he was turned away.

“On the day, they turned me back when I was by the door at Naturena.

Of course, I was sad because I wanted to work with them. I wanted to wear that kit,” Mhango shared.

It was a crushing moment, but he chose to stay optimistic. “But I said never give up, you are never late.”

A Future Full of Possibilities

Despite the disappointment, Mhango hasn’t given up on the idea of playing for a top team in South Africa.

“You never know, maybe one day will be one day,” he concluded, leaving the door open for the future.

Now at Swallows FC, Mhango continues to pursue his career, but that dream move to Kaizer Chiefs will forever be a ‘what could have been’ story in his football journey.

What are your thoughts on Mhango’s missed chance? Would you have liked to see him at Kaizer Chiefs?