MARUMO Gallants striker Gabadinho Mhango has crawled back into Malawi’s Flames squad for next week’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Burundi and Burkina Faso.
Mhango’s return to the squad comes a week after Patrick Mabedi was sacked as the Flames coach. Zimbabwean Kalisto Pasuwa is in temporary charge ahead of the deadrubber Group L qualifying matches.
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) sacked Mabedi after the back-toback four defeats ended the Flames’ bid for a place at the next Afcon finals. Mabedi’s decision to sideline Mhango backfired after the Flames lost to Senegal (1-0 and 4-0), Burundi (2-3) and Burkina Faso (3-1). The former Moroka Swallows attacker has now returned to the 25-member squad which Pasuwa was released by Pasuwa.
The Zimbabwean coach has also recalled Romania-based defender Charles Petro while dropping six regulars, goalkeeper Brighton Munthali, right-back Stanley Sanudi, centre-back Lawrence Chaziya, midfielders Robert Saizi, Chimwemwe Idana, Yamikani Chester and forward Chifundo Mphasi. Malawi take on Burundi in Ivory Coast this Thursday before welcoming the Stallions in Lilongwe four days later. — SuperSport