Bingu National Stadium full house rose on its collective feet to salute Amazulu-bound Orlando Pirates striker Gabadinho Mhango after his brace from the penalty spot earned Malawi a 2-1 win over Ethiopia on Sunday afternoon in Lilongwe.
His double was enough to earn Malawi Group D’s leadership of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, subject to the outcome of Egypt’s home game against Guinea played later on Sunday.
Gabadinho, the striker Pirates relegates to the periphery, scored in the 10th and 34th minutes before Ethiopia pulled one back through Abubekker Nasir’s goal from the penalty spot.
The former Bloemfontein Celtic converted the first penalty after Ethiopia’s Yared Bayeh had fouled Malawi striker Stain Davie.
Mhango then earned the second penalty after being slashed down while charging in the box by Mignot Debebe.
The pint-sized former Bidvest Wits man wanted a hat-trick and came mightily close late in the second half but his effort was ruled out for offside.
As Mhango left the pitch after being substituted for Chikoti Chirwa later in the game, Malawi president Lazarus Chakwera led the crowd in bowing heads down in recognition of the striker’s man-of-the match display.
The striker might have played a spoonful of games for Pirates in the just ended season but his country form is phenomenal because he has now scored five goals in four consecutive games.
Starting Line-Ups:
Malawi: Charles Thom, Stanley Sanudi, Gomezgani Chirwa, Chembezi Denis, Lawrence Chaziya, John Banda, Gerald Phiri, Chimwemwe Idana, Gabadinho Mhango (Chikoti Chirwa), Khuda Muyaba, Stain Davie
Ethiopia: Fasil Gebremikiel, Hamid Suleiman, Remedan Yosouf, Mignot Debebe,Yared Bayeh, Dawa Hottesa, Shemeles Bekele, Mesoud Mohammed, Abubekker Nasir, Amanuel, Yohanes
