Gaba back in Flames squad
Flames coach Patrick Mabedi has recalled South Africa-based forward Frank Gabadinho Mhango for the forthcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Tunisia.
The squad is scheduled to depart on Monday for Liberia ahead of their first qualifier against the Lone Star this coming Friday.
The Moroka Swallows FC forward was left out of the Flames’ last two 2023 Africa Cup of Nations’ (Afcon) qualifiers against Ethiopia and Guinea.
The 31-year-old, who scored all the three goals for the Flames at the 2021 Afcon finals in Cameroon and was the tournament’s joint third leading scorer, is among the five foreign-based players that have been included in Mabedi’s 25-member squad.
In an interview yesterday, Gabadinho said he was happy to return to the squad.
He said: “I always say that for me it is a privilege to represent my nation and I try to give out my best all the time.
“But there are times when I have to understand that national team call-up is at the discretion of the coach.
“So, what I can say is that I am honoured to be recalled and I look forward to the upcoming matches. It will be nice to link up with the guys again.”
The four other foreign-based players are John ‘CJ’ Banda, who is based in Mozambique, Zambia-based blossoming forward Chifundo Mphasi, Iraq-based defender Dennis Chembezi and South Africa-based goalkeeper Brightone Munthali.
The notable names missing from the list are Romania-based defender Charles Petro and Zambia-based forward Chawanangwa Kaonga, who was named 2023 Cosafa Cup Player of the Tournament.
But Football Association of Malawi competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka yesterday said Kaonga is still recovering from an injury he sustained while on national duty.
Mozambique-based forward Richard Mbulu, who was recalled for the last two Afcon qualifiers, has also been left out in the cold.
The Flames gaffer has also included two uncapped players, namely goalkeeper Austin Chirambo and striker Olson Kanjira.
The full list of players is as follows: Munthali, Innocent Nyasulu, Chirambo, Stanley Sanudi, Mark Lameck, Dan Chimbalanga, Tatenda M’balaka, Chembezi, Blessings Mpokera, Nickson Mwase, Lawrence Chaziya, Patrick Mwaungulu, Mpinganjira, Mphasi, Lanjesi Nkhoma, Robert Saizi, Frank Willard, Lloyd Alone, Banda, Francisco Madinga, Christopher Kumwembe, Gabadinho, Kanjira and Chrispin Mapemba.
