The Malawi National Team will have two-crucial games early next month as they kick off their campaign in the 2025 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers with Burkina Faso and Burundi on the menu.
The Flames will start off their journey on September 5 when they face Burundi before facing Burkina Faso five days later. Head Coach, Patrick Mabedi who is looking to qualify for the finals of the prestigious tournament as it was injected into his contract, released a 28-man squad on Friday morning at Mpira Village in Blantyre.
Before the call-up, former Flames striker, Chiukepo Msowoya raised the concern of snubbing Gabadinho Mhango from the Malawi National Team squad but Mabedi eventually snubbed him again.
If Mabedi is to continue being the Head Coach for the Flames, this marks the end of Gaba’s illustrious career with the National Team. From hogging headlines after scoring one of the beautiful goals at the 2021 AFCON, a goal that will last for ages, to being a surplus to the requirements.
Gabadinho was called by Mabedi during the Four-Nation tournament that Malawi failed to register a single win and he has missed two call-ups since then. It is not a secret that the striker failed to adapt to the formation that the coach used.
Speaking during the press conference on Friday, Mabedi seems to have written off the striker’s return to his team as he says that the player is not fitting in his system.
There has been a lot being talked following Gaba’s snub in the National Team as people say that there are personal issues between the coach and his striker, claims that Mabedi trashed.
“We don’t need to mix sugar with salt, I have nothing against Gaba,” said Mabedi.
The former Kaizer Chiefs defender says it’s time for Malawi to move on and start playing games without the striker who has been the star of the team during his generations.
“We just have to do things without him [Gabadinho Mhango]. I have known Gaba for a long time, even when he left his last team in AmaZulu, I was the one who facilitated his move to Swallows.
“He is my son and currently we need to understand, if I was bitter with Gaba, I could not call him during the 4 nations tournament. The way we play, is he fitting to our system? I don’t mind if the player is enjoying game time but is he fitting?”
The 31-year-old striker who made his debut for the National Team in 2012 when Malawi beat Zambia on July 6 under Kinnah Phiri, has scored 17 FIFA goals for the team in 67 matches.
Chester returns as Kaliati overlooked
In his squad, Mabedi has included improving players, Maxwell Paipi, Nixon Nyasulu, Macdonald Lameck while George Chikooka who impressed during his last outing with the National Team has been kept in the squad as he will battle for the berth with Blue Eagles’ Brighton Munthali and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ Innocent Nyasulu.
Isaac Kaliati who has been the pillar for Mighty Mukuru Wanderers has been dropped, Christopher Kumwembe who joined Green Buffaloes recently has also been dropped, so too with Bullets’ Blessings Mpokera.
Making announcement, the coach indicated that Kaliati would not make it despite his recent form. The midfielder has been the pivotal player for Mighty Mukuru Wanderers this season, scoring eight goals and top scorer for the Club powering them to second position in the 2024 TNM Super League as of week 19.
Yamikani Chester who is playing for Costol De Sol in Mozambique has returned to the squad after missing for years. In his previous call-up, Mabedi said the midfielder was old so that wouldn’t cope up with the system of the team.
“We have considered Yamikani Chester back in the squad because Chikumbutso Salima is injured,” he said.
The full Malawi 28 member Squad for 2026 AFCON Qualifiers
Innocent Nyasulu , George Chikooka , Brighton Munthali
Mark Lameck , Nickson Mwase , Maxwell Paipi, Stanley Sanudi , Lawrence Chaziya, Nickson Nyasulu, Precious Sambani, Denis Chembezi
Llyod Aaron
Wongani Lungu, Wisdom Mpinganjira, Chimwemwe Idana, Uchizi Vunga, Patrick Macheso, Gomezgani Chirwa, Chikondi Kamanga, Lanjesi Nkhoma, Patrick Mwaungulu, John Banda, Yamikani Chester
Robert Saizi, Zeliat Nkhoma, Gaddie Chirwa, Chawanangwa Kaonga, Chifundo Mphasi
