Nothing personal against sidelined Mhango - Mabedi

Malawi coach Patrick Mabedi has justified his continued omission of Marumo Gallants’ striker Gabadinho Mhango from the Flames’ squad for the forthcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.

Mabedi said this on Friday in Blantyre where he announced his 28-member squad for the Group L qualifiers against Burundi at home on September 5 and away in Burkina Faso on September 10, 2024.

The former Kaizer Chiefs skipper dismissed talk that there was bad blood between him and the former Orlando Pirates forward, citing the role he has played in his career.

Mabedi insisted that he introduced the former AmaZulu forward to the PSL over a decade ago and even facilitated his switch to Moroka Swallows.

“We don’t need to mix sugar with salt. I have nothing [personal] against Gaba. There is time to move on and give other players an opportunity. We need to create room for other youngsters. There is nothing between me and Gaba,” he told reporters.

With Mhango out, there is no place for any PSL player in Malawi’s squad as Black Leopards midfielder Rafik Namwera has also been ignored.

However, Namwera’s former Lidoda Duvha team-mate, Brighton Munthali, has earned selection among three home-based goalkeepers.

The coach has since bemoaned the limited training time his squad has due to domestic engagements.

Mabedi said his initial plan was to start training from August 12 then it was shifted to August 25, 2024, but it was impossible to regroup on both days due to crammed domestic fixtures.

“We will have one training session before the game, and it is something we have never experienced before. I am not happy that we have one day. We all need time,” he said.

The Flames’ last international outing ended in a 1-0 loss in Equatorial Guinea during a Group H World Cup qualifier on June 10, 2024.