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 dead-rubber Group L qualifying matches.
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) sacked Mabedi after the back-to-back four defeats ended the Flames’ bid for a place at the next Afcon finals.
Mabed’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).
Flames interim head coach Kalisto Pasuwa has named a 25-man squad for the last 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Burundi and Burkina Faso next week.
— FA Malawi (@FaMalawi) November 6, 2024
The Flames will face Burundi in Ivory Coast on Thursday November 14, and Burkina Faso at BNS on November 18. pic.twitter.com/n0CVvJjUyT
The former Moroka Swallows attacker has now returned to the 25-member squad which Pasuwa released on Wednesday
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 will meet Burundi in Ivory Coast on November 14 before welcoming the Stallions in Lilongwe four days later.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: William Thole (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers), George Chikooka (Silver Strikers) and Richard Chimbamba (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets).
Defenders: MacDonald Lameck, Maxwell Paipi, Nickson Mwase (Silver Strikers), Gomezgani Chirwa, Nickson Nyasulu, Alick Lungu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Dennis Chembezi (Al Qasim SC-Iraq), Petro (FC Botosani-Romania), Timothy Silwimba (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers).
Midfielders: John Banda (UD Songo), Yankho Singo, Lloyd Aaron (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Lanjesi Nkhoma, Patrick Mwaungulu (Don Bosco-DRC), Chawanangwa Kaonga (Zanaco FC-Zambia), Wisdom Mpinganjira (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers) and Zebron Kalima (Silver Strikers).
Strikers: Mhango (Gallants), Gadi Chirwa (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers), Zeliat Nkhoma (Kamuzu Barracks), Richard Mbulu, Lloyd Njaliwa (Costa Do Sol-Mozambique).
Technical panel: Kalisto Pasuwa (Head Coach),
Peter Mponda (First Assistant Coach)
Prichard Mwanza (Second Assistant Coach)
James Chilapondwa (Team manager)
Simplex Nthala(Goalkeeper Trainer)
Peter Mgangira (Fitness Trainer)
Taonga Chimodzi (Video Analyst)
Levison Mwale ( Team Doctor)
Dexter Kill (Physiotherapist)
Richard Justin (Equipment Manager.
Technical Advisors: Kinnah Phiri and Young Chimodzi