Malawi National Football Team caretaker coach Patrick Mabedi has explained reasons behind the exclusion of several seasoned players from the squad that will face Guinea in a dead-rubber 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier this weekend.
The squad that Mabedi has in camp does not have Gabadinho Mhango, William Thole, Yamikani Chester and Khuda Muyaba.
The former Kaizer Chiefs interim coach said he needed to give Mhango time to settle down at his new South African DStv Premiership club, Swallows.
“I have been in touch with Gabadinho. He is a player who has not been that active of late. He has just secured a new club after parting ways with AmaZulu in July. This means he needs game time. Let’s not forget that Gaba was nursing an injury and has been idle for some time.
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“I personally talked to him, explaining my plan during Saturday’s match against Guinea. It is not like he is not in our plans. But there is a situation that has forced me to decide against including him in the squad,” Mabedi said.
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On Chester, who is plying his trade at Mozambican side Costa Do Sol, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers goalkeeper Thole and Muyaba, who is plying his trade at Syrian Premier League club Tishreen, Mabedi said he was prioritising players he took to this year’s Cosafa Cup in South Africa.
“I want to ascertain if indeed these players are ready to play for the national team. I called young and skillful players for the Cosafa Cup and I want to test them on the big stage. It would also be important to ask ourselves the purpose of this Guinea game since we are already out. Let us therefore give these youngsters a chance to play and see if they are ready for the Flames,” he said.
Mabedi said preparations for the Saturday match are on track after captain John ‘CJ’ Banda, Richard Mbulu, Brighton Munthali and Chawanagwa Kaonga joined camp.
