Gaba dropped for Sao Tome match
South Africa-based forward Frank Gabadinho Mhango has been dropped from the final Flames’ squad for Thursday’s 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
The revitalised forward was in top form for his club Moroka Swallows towards the end of the DStv Premiership season, scoring five goals in the last eight matches and being named man-of-the-match twice.
In an interview yesterday, Mhango asked for more time before commenting on his exclusion while Mabedi could not be reached.
The 26-member list includes seven foreign-based players.
Also missing on the list are England-based duo of defender Djibril Okedina and midfielder Takondwa Maosa who were part of the squad that played in the Four Nations Tournament in March.
But Mabedi has kept faith in US-based forward Henri Kumwenda.
Captain John ‘CJ’ Banda is the only Mozambique-based player included.
The Flames’ gaffer has also kept faith in South Africa-based goalkeeper Brighton Munthali, defender Dennis Chembezi, based in Iraq, Zambia-based trio of midfielder Robert Saizi and strikers Chawanangwa Kaonga and Chifundo Mphasi.
Left-backs Precious Sambani and Tatenda M’balaka have also made the final list after missing the Four Nations Tournament due to injuries.
The notable uncapped players that have made the grade are TNM Super League leading scorer Zelliat Nkhoma and Blessings Singini.
After Thursday’match, the Flames will switch their attention to their next qualifier against Equatorial Guinea away, four days later.
The Flames have three points from two games.
