South Africa-baed Flames marksman and captain Frank Gabadinho Mhango has been ruled out of Thursday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Equatorial Guinea having accumulated two yellow cards.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka confirmed the Flames on-field leader’s suspension, but said he will be available for next Tuesday’s match against Sao Tome and Principe.
Malawi host Nzalang National at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe on Thursday before facing Sao Tome and Principe in Tunisia four days later.
Said Zakazaka: “Gaba is out of Thursday’s match, but he will be available for selection in next match against Principe and Sao Tome.”
The 33-year-old was first shown the yellow card against Namibia’s Brave Warriors in Francistown, Botswana, where Malawi won 2-1.
He was also booked during the match against Liberia at BNS which ended two-all.
Mhango is the Flames’ joint leading scorer in World Cup qualification campaign alongside Zambia-based Chifundo Mphasi with two goals apiece. He also has an assist.
Flames’ coach Kallisto Pasuwa could not be reached for his comment on the impact of Mhango’s absence.
On his part, Mhango said he is disappointed to miss the upcoming match.
“It always pains to miss such big games, especially when you are playing at home. But we have several good strikers that can easily fit in” he said.
Football analyst Charles Nyirenda said while Mhango will be missed, owing to his experience and exploits, it gives others a chance to prove their worth.
He said: “He is the main striker and there are very few of his type, no doubt about that. But such situations should provide an opportunity for others to impress.
“Gaba won’t be there forever, so let others fill the gap.”
Nyirenda cited Mozambique-based Richard Mbulu and his Zambian counterpart Chawanangwa Kaonga as forwards capable of leading the attack.
Another analyst, Kevin Moyo, described Mhango’s absence as a big blow.
“Our biggest challenge is scoring goals and this is a player who has scored two goals and provided an assist in the past two matches, which speaks volumes about his impact in the national team,” he said.
Meanwhile, FCB Nyasa Bullets forward Chikumbutso Salima has also been ruled out of the match after sustaining an injury during Sunday’s TNM Super League match against Silver Strikers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Other strikers that have been called up for the two matches are Democratic Republic of Congo-based duo of Patrick Mwaungulu and Lanjesi Nkhoma, US-based Mayele Malango, Mighty Wanderers’ Wisdom Mpinganjira and Nigeria-born Bullets’ lanky forward Babatunde Adepoju, who has been added to the squad following completion of his nationality switch.
The Flames regrouped on Sunday and started their preparations yesterday and foreign-based players started trickling in at the weekend.
Malawi are fourth in the six-team Group H with 10 points from eight matches. Thy are tied on points with fifth-placed Equatorial Guinea.
Tunisia already punched their ticket from the group as they sit pretty at the summit with insurmountable 22 points, followed by Namibia who have 15 points while Liberia are third with 11 points.
Sao Tome and Principe anchor the group with no point.
