Mwase drops Gaba
Flames coach Meck Mwase has dropped Orlando Pirates striker Gabadinho Mhango in his squad for next week’s last two Fifa 2022 World Cup Qatar qualifiers against Cameroon and Mozambique.
Malawi will host Cameroon at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday November 13, before facing Mozambique in Benin three days later.
The Flames coach has since recalled Mighty Wanderers defender Francis Mulimbika to replace injured Denis Chembezi. The coach has also called Nyasa Big Bullets striker Hassan Kajoke.
He has also included Moyale Barracks striker Lloyd Njaliwa.
But missing on the list is Mhango.
Justifying Mhango’s exclusion in an interview, Mwase said he should concentrate on his club’s commitments.
He said: “These are normal changes. We want him to reflect on his performance and concentrate on his club’s commitments. Mind you, he is still in our plans as we prepare for Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) to kick off early next year. As things are, we cannot qualify for World Cup and our focus is on building a strong team for Afcon and it is important to try other faces.”
However, soccer analyst George Kaudza Masina faulted the coach for dropping Mhango, saying other players that are struggling at their respective clubs have been included in the squad.
He said: “Dropping Mhango is a lost opportunity. He should have been included so that he should remain relevant to the team. We have players that are struggling at their clubs but have been included in the squad. This raises a lot of questions on the coach’s selection criteria.”
The following is the full squad:
Goalkeepers: Brighton Munthali (Silver Strikers), Richard Chipuwa (Be Forward Wanderers), Ernest Kakhobwe (Nyasa Big Bullets)
Defenders: Stanley Sanudi (Be Forward Wanderers), Peter Cholopi (Mighty Wanderers), Nickson Mwase (Silver Strikers), Limbikani Mzava (AmaZulu), Francis Mulimbika (Mighty Wanderers), Charles Petro (Sheriff Tiraspol), Gomezgani Chirwa (Nyasa Big Bullets).
Midfielders: Chikoti Chirwa (Red Lions), Peter Banda (Simba SC), Chimwemwe Idana (Nyasa Big Bullets), Micium Mhone (Blue Eagles), John Banda (UD Songo), Yamikani Chester (Mighty Wanderers), Gerald Phiri Jnr (Baroka FC), Tawonga Chimodzi (Silver Strikers), Mike Mkwate (Polokwane FC), Francisco Madinga (FC Dila Gori)
Strikers: Hassan Kajoke (Nyasa Big Bullets), Richard Mbulu (Baroka FC), Lloyd Njaliwa (Moyale Barracks), Khuda Muyaba (Polokwane FC).
