Flames coach Patrick Mabedi has dropped four players from his 20-member squad which leaves the country today for Senegal ahead of Friday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against the Teranga Lions.
The Malawi National Football Team gaffer has left out Zambia-based forward Chifundo Mphasi, striker Patrick Macheso, defender Gomezgani Chirwa and goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu, who were in the squad that travelled to Mali for last month’s qualifier against Burkina Faso.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said in an interview yesterday that Mphasi, alongside goalkeeper William Thole, defender Precious Sambani and midfielder Isaac Kaliyati, who is enjoying a rich vein of form, are on stand-by.
He said: “In case something happens, they could be drafted into the squad since there are six days before the match and anything, in terms of illness and injuries, could happen.
“But as for Thole, Sambani and Kaliyati, they will definitely join the squad upon its return from Senegal ahead of the return leg [scheduled for October 15].”
In total, Mabedi has dropped 12 players that were in his initial squad that faced Burundi’s Swallows at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
The coach yesterday said he needed to get an approval from the authorities before commenting.
The former South African top-flight league side Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach has also recalled Mozambique-based duo of Richard Mbulu and Lloyd Njaliwa on recommendation from FAM technical subcommittee.
Apart from the duo, the squad includes seven other foreign-based players, namely Zambia-based pair of Chawanangwa Kaonga and Robert ‘Gomez’ Saizi, Mozambique-based John ‘CJ’ Banda and Yamikani Chester, Patrick Mwaungulu and Lanjesi Nkhoma, who ply their trade in Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq-based Dennis Chembezi.
According to FAM, the foreign legion will fly straight to Dakar from their respective bases.
But South Africa-based forward Frank Gabadinho Mhango has not been included despite the committee’s recommendation for his recall.
It could also not be established whether the Marumo Gallants player has been dropped because of the controversy surrounding his road accident in his Bloemfontein base or his earlier stand that he would not show up as he was not part of the coach’s plans.
But Zakazaka said the committee’s recommendations are subject to the executive committee’s approval.
Mabedi has also included uncapped Mighty Mukuru Wanderers left-back Timothy Silwimba while Blue Eagles goalkeeper Brighton Munthali has returned to the squad after recovering from an injury.
For the first time in recent years, struggling giants FCB Nyasa Bullets have only contributed one player, midfielder Lloyd ‘Banega’ Aaron while TNM Super League leaders Silver Strikers and second-placed Wanderers have contributed three and four players respectively.
Apart from Silwimba, others from Wanderers are defenders Lawrence Chaziya and Stanley Sanudi and midfielder Wisdom Mpinganjira while those from Silver are goalkeeper George Chikooka, defender McDonald Lameck and midfielder Chimwemwe Idana.
Also not making the trip are team manager James Sangala and technical adviser Aubrey Nankhuni.
Zakazaka said their exclusion is due to financial constraints.
He added: “You will note that even for players, the number of those travelling has also dropped to minimise costs.”
The squad is expected to arrive in Dakar tomorrow after spending a night in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Flames anchor Group L with no point following their back-to-back losses against Burundi 2-3 and Burkina Faso 3-1.
Burkina Faso top the four-team group. They are tied at four points with second-placed Senegal while Burundi are third with three points.
social media things. We will follow the team’s disciplinary measures.”want to react to all these
On his part, Mhango’s agent Mike Makaab said: “I want to reserve my comment until I have seen the police report. But players need to be accountable for their actions.” Mhango, who was treated as an outpatient at a hospital, told Weekend Nation last week that the accident occurred on his way from a car wash.
