Malawi National Football Team interim Coach Patrick Mabedi has excluded striker Gabadinho Mhango in his 27-member squad to face Guinea in a dead-rubber Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier at Bingu National Stadium this Saturday.
The Moroka Swallows striker was also omitted from the squad that faced Ethiopia, in the same qualifiers in June this year, due to injury. However, Mhango has returned to full fitness, having scored two goals for his new club in the DStv Premiership this season.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) released the squad Monday. Syria-based striker Khuda Muyaba, Charles Petro (based in Romania), Yamikani Chester, Chikoti Chirwa and Lloyd Njaliwa have also been left out.
But Mabedi has included captain John Banda, Richard Mbulu, goalkeeper Brighton Munthali and Chawanangwa Kaonga.
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Out of the four foreign country-based players, Banda and Mbulu were not part of the squad which finished fourth at the Cosafa Cup in South Africa in July.
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F a m Communications and Competitions Director Gomezgani Zakazaka said Mbulu, Kaonga and Munthali arrived Monday. C.J Banda was expected to arrive last night.
“These are the players the coach has selected for the match,’’ Zakazaka said.
The last time Mhango featured for Malawi was during the 1-0 loss to Guinea in Conakry in June last year. But he missed matches against Egypt and Ethiopia due to injuries.
Mhango is Flames top goal scorer in the qualifiers with the two goals he scored against Ethiopia.
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Mabedi has also included Peter Banda, Francisco Madinga, Wisdom Mpinganjira and Adiel Kaduya. Goalkeeper Clever Mkungula has been included.
Sports analyst Parry Chinyama said it will be important to try new players.
Malawi are already out of the qualifiers with four points as Egypt and Guinea qualified with 12 and nine points from five matches, respectively.
