FAM takes on mabedi
FAM has ordered Flames coach Patrick Mabedi to recall experienced players, including striker Frank Gabadinho Mhango for the forthcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Senegal.
The directive was made during a Football Association of Malawi (FAM) technical subcommittee meeting held on Thursday.
A source confided in Weekend Nation yesterday that the committee also resolved to assign two of its members to counsel two players, whom the coach claims to be indisciplined.
One of the players was Mhango, but we could not identify the identity of the other player.
“The committee felt that it should take that route because what is needed now are results,” said the source.
The source also said that the meeting resolved that the coach should not release the squad before the committee’s input.
“But he [the coach] will have still have the mandate to choose which players should go into camp,” said the source.
That was not all.
FAM secretariat was also told to write Mabedi a warning letter against “his negative outbursts in the press”.
“The committee felt the coach’s outbursts give the players justification not to give their all,” said the source.
There has been an outcry from some quarters for the recall of experienced players, especially Mhango after the team’s back-to-back losses to Burundi and Burkina Faso in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Mabedi yesterday said he was attending a zoom meeting and would revert, but he had not done so at press time.
However, the coach told the media that he has nothing against Mhango only that his focus is on up-and-coming players.
Mhango was not part of the squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Sao Tome and Principe as well as Equatorial Guinea in June this year.
He was also dropped from the squad which faced Burundi and Burkina Faso.
In an interview yesterday, Mhango said much as he loves representing his country, he feels it is not right to call him when the situation appears desperate.
He said: “I have said it time and again that nothing satisfies me most than playing for the national team, but why should I be forced into the set-up when I do not fit in the plans?
“Things already look bleak and then I should come in?…It just doesn’t sound good.”
However, Mabedi said he did recall Mozambique-based forward Richard Mbulu, but was told that he was nursing an injury only to feature for his club in a league match a few days later.
FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda confirmed the technical subcommittee’s meeting.
He said: “The report from the meeting is being finalised and remember that the committee only recomends to the ex-co for further action and once it is submitted, an appropriate reaction will be provided.”
The Flames, who anchor Group L with no point from two matches, face Senegal’s Lions of Teranga on October 11 in Dakar while the return leg is scheduled for four days later at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
