Gabadinho contemplates quitting Flames

 South Africa-based forward Frank Gabadinho Mhango says he is contemplating quitting the Flames following sentiments made by coach Patrick Mabedi and the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) over his failed trip to Liberia for tomorrow’s 2026 World Cup qualifier.

But in an interview from Johannesburg yesterday, he accused both the association and the coach of tarnishing his image.

Said Mhango: “I am very disappointed with the coach and FAM’s stand. Is missing a flight indiscipline? Am I the first one to miss a flight?

“Honestly this is very unfair and I am contemplating my future with the national team.

“I was willing to travel and serve my nation as I always do and that is why I made a commitment to proceed with the trip.

“In fact, FAM suggested that I should buy the ticket with my money so that they could refund me, but when I checked it was costing about R40 000.”

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu told The Nation in an interview on Tuesday that they had cancelled the AmaZulu striker’s trip to Liberia on disciplinary grounds.

Mabedi could not be reached for comment yesterday, but he was quoted by South African online publication SoccerLaduma as having said the player should apologise to Malawians if he is to be welcomed back into the team.

He was also quoted as having said the other reason Mhango has been left out is because he did not comply with instructions from the technical team to do a recovery session and send it to the Flames physical trainer.

In an interview yesterday, Nyamilandu said the issue was out of their hands and that the coach would be better-placed to comment.

He said: “As I said, we tried to facilitate Gaba’s trip, but it was the coach who said no, his issue was disciplinary in nature and it would affect the spirit in camp.” Mhango was initially supposed to join the Flames on Sunday in Lilongwe ahead of the trip the following day, but he reportedly missed his flight.