Flames Head Coach, Patrick Mabedi has recalled Moroka Swallows striker, Gabadinho Mhango back into his team after missing the last two 2023 TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ethiopia and Guinea.
Mabedi has named a 25-man squad that is expected to face Liberia and Tunisia in the World Cup Qualifiers this month.
In his squad, the former Flames defender has included five foreign based players, two southern region football league players and 18 super league players.
Gabadinho is yet to taste minutes under Mabedi’s tenure as he was not in the squad that reached the semifinals of the Cosafa Cup this year in South Africa.
Mabedi during his interview after naming the squad for Cosafa hinted that Mhango still has the future in his team unlike Khudah Muyaba who is now a free agent after leaving Syria based side, Tishreen Sporting Club.
“GABA is a very good professional, very good player. He has just found a team but I think he will join the team in future,” hinted Mabedi in September.
Mhango has been one of the reliable players for Swallows this season and he has replaced Zanaco’s striker, Chawangwa Kaonga who had been dropped due to injury.
Other foreign based players in the squad are goalkeeper Brighton Munthali who plays for Black Leopards in South Africa and defender Denis Chembezi of Iraq’s Al-Qasim SC . Mozambique based duos of captain John Banda and Lloyd Njaliwa and Zambia based Chifundo Mphasi have also made the list.
Mphasi has been one of the influential players for Kabwe Warriors in Zambia, winning fans man of the match awards and providing assists to steer his team to the top of the MTN Super League.
Kanjira gets his first call-up
One of the most in-form players, Olson Kanjira has been included in the final 25-man squad after his impressive performance this season.
Kanjira who joined Kamuzu Barracks from Masters Security Football Club has been the pillar of the 2016 Super League Champions and he has scored 9 in his last 10 appearances in all competitions including scoring four goals against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.
He is the only player from Kamuzu Barracks to be part of the squad.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve duo of Crispin Mapemba and goal-keeper, Austin Chirambo are also part of the team.
6 players in the squad are from Bullets FC, 5 from Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, 3 from Silver Strikers, while Mafco FC, Bangwe All Stars, Mighty Waka Waka Tigers, Blue Eagles, Civil Service United have contributed one player each.
The Flames will leave for Liberia on Monday through Kamuzu International airport in Lilongwe.
The following is the full squad:
Goalkeepers: Innocent Nyasulu (Wakawaka Tigers FC),Austin Chirambo (FCB Nyasa Bullets Reserve),Brighton Munthali (Black Leopards FC)
Defenders: Mark Lameck (Blue Eagles FC), Dannie Chimbalanga (MAFCO)Stanley Sanudi, Lawrence Chaziya (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers), Nickson Mwase Tatenda M’balaka (Silver Strikers), Chembezi Denis (Al-Qasim SC), Blessings Mpokera (FCB Nyasa Bullets)
Midfielders: Robert Gomez Saizi (Bangwe All Stars) Chrispin Mapemba (FCB Nyasa Bullets Reserve), Wisdom Mpinganjira, Francisco Madinga (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers), Chimwemwe Idana (Silver Strikers),Lloyd Aaron (Civil Service United),Frank Willard, Patrick Mwaungulu, Lanjesi Nkhoma (FCB Nyasa Bullets),John Banda ( UD Songo), Chifundo Mphasi (Kabwe Warriors).
Strikers: Olson Kanjira (Kamuzu Barracks), Christopher Kumwembe (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers), Gabadinho Mhango (Moroka Swallows)
