Malawi National Football Team Coach Patrick Mabedi must wait a bit longer to secure the services of Democratic Republic of Congo-born striker Malango Mayele, who is enjoying a rich vein of form in the United States of America.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam), acting on recommendations from Mabedi, asked the Ministry of Homeland Security to grant Mayele citizenship to enable the Chattanooga Red Wolves forward to feature for the Flames next month.
However, the process has stagnated, rendering Mayele a doubt for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Burundi on September 5 and Burkina Faso on September 9.
According to a letter addressed to Fam which, Malawi News Sports has seen, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has notified the national football governing body that the granting of dual citizenships was suspended in December last year.
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“I write to advise that the Ministry of Youth and Sports engaged Ministry of Homeland Security on the matter and we have been advised that, currently, processing of dual citizenship application was suspended in December 2023 due to logistical challenges.
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“The Ministry of Homeland Security has therefore advised that the process will resume as soon as the challenges have been addressed. They have further advised that application for dual citizenship is sorely done by the individual application and the applicant is supposed to pay an application fee which cannot be waived. I shall be grateful if this information is well noted,” the ministry wrote on August 1.
However, Mabedi said the player has already fulfilled all the requirements including payment of the fees.
“Mayele did all the paperwork and also paid that money but what remains now is just authorisation by the Ministry of Homeland Security Ministry,” he said.
Mabedi said the Flames need Mayele to provide options and add depth.
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“We certainly need Mayele for Afcon qualifiers in September but that is not my job. We will keep concentrating on the players we have now. We have a huge challenge ahead,” Mabedi said.
Meanwhile, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Homeland Security Steven Kayuni has confirmed that all the processes to do with dual citizenship and other citizenship applications await authorisation.
“Auditor General just completed an audit at the Citizenship Dept [department]. All dual citizenship and other citizenship applications will be attended to as required by Hon [honourable] minister’s office sir,” Kayuni responded.
Mayele stayed in Malawi for 10 years at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa before moving to United States of America, where he is playing for Chattanooga Red Wolves in the USL League One. So far he has scored five goals and provided four assists for his side.
Wolves are on position eight with 16 points from 14 games.
