Malawi National Football Team Coach Patrick Mabedi has extended an olive branch to South Africa-based Moroka Swallows striker Gabadinho Mhango hinting at his return to the senior side.
Mhango was ruled out of the squad against Liberia and Tunisia on disciplinary grounds in November, last year.
Mabedi said Gabadinho was active and his inclusion into the squad was imminent.
“Gaba is our player. He is like a child to us [the country] and a son to me. He has been playing regularly and most likely he will be in the squad,” Mabedi said.
He said this after he announced a 27-man provisional squad of local players to go into camp in preparation for the Four Nations tournament later this month.
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The country is expected to host the tournament which has Malawi, Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe at the Bingu National stadium in Lilongwe during the forthcoming Fifa window, March 18-26.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Competitions and Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka told the association’s website that the team will camp in Blantyre for two weeks before moving to Lilongwe on 15th March.
“After 15th March, the coach will then include the foreign based players as they move to Lilongwe for the tournament. This is a Fifa window and as such all players are available for selection,” Zakazaka said.
Meanwhile, former Flames defender Ojukwu Malunga touted Mabedi for extending an olive branch to the striker.
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“It is good that the coach exerted his powers and it sent a message across the squad. By recalling him it shows the coach has forgiven him,” he said.
The following is the full squad:
Goalkeepers: Innocent Nyasulu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Austin Chirambo (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve), George Chikooka (Silver Strikers)
Defenders: Mark Lameck (Silver Strikers), Dannie Chimbalanga (Mafco), Chimwemwe Nkhoma (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers), Stanley Sanudi (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers), Lawrence Chaziya (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers), Nickson Mwase (Silver Strikers), Yamikani Mologeni (FCB Nyasa Bullets), Alex Kambilinya (Wakawaka Tigers), Blessings Mpokera (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Joseph Balakasi, (Dedza Dynamos).
Midfielders: Chrispin Mapemba (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve), Wisdom Mpinganjira (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers), Francisco Madinga (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers), Chimwemwe Idana (Silver Strikers), Lloyd Aaron (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Patrick Mwaungulu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Lanjesi Nkhoma (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Yankho Singo (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Wongani Lungu (Ekwendeni Hammers), Patrick Macheso (Silver Strikers)
Strikers: Olson Kanjira (Kamuzu Barracks), Christopher Kumwembe (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers), Ephraim Kondowe (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Clement Nyondo (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers).
