Mozambique-based forward Richard Mbulu says he is not shunning the Flames as it is being portrayed by some quarters, especially social media.
The Costa Do Sol striker was named in Flames coach Patrick Mabedi’s squad for Friday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Senegal in Dakar, but he ruled himself out due to an injury and has since been replaced by midfielder Isaac Kaliyati.
Before the previous qualifiers against Burundi and Burkina Faso, the coach also said he wanted the 30-year-old , but was informed that he was nursing an injury although he featured for his club.
In an interview yesterday, Mbulu said: “It is unfortunate that some people are portraying a picture as if I am shunning the national team when that is not the case.
“I am currently nursing an injury and that is why I have not even travelled with the team for our away fixture against Bala de Pemba scheduled for today [yesterday].
“I have no reason to shun national team engagements and I am in good books with the coach.”
The striker, who scored the priceless goal against Uganda which led to Flames’ qualification for the 2021 Afcon, also clarified his absence for the matches against the Swallows of Burundi and Burkina Faso’s Stallions.
He said: “As for the Burundi match, I was actually dropped because I informed him [the coach] that the injury was minor and I was available for selection.
Mbulu is enjoying good form at Costa do Sol, where he has scored five goals so far and as of yesterday his team was at the summt of the Mozambican flagship Mocambola League with 37 points from 18 matches
